New legislation signed by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie will allow the Fire Department to accept private funds for fleet upgrades. According to the San Francisco Government, the legislation was signed on May 30, 2025, and introduced with the support of Supervisor Connie Chan and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman.
The new law allows city leaders to accept behest payments from private donors to purchase emergency vehicles. This includes fire engines, trucks, and ambulances that are past recommended service life.
The San Francisco Government stated that most of the current fire fleet is outdated. As of April 11, 2025, 63 percent of fire engines, 87 percent of fire trucks, and 70 percent of reserve vehicles in the city are over 10 years old. Four frontline apparatuses from the 1970s remain in service. Seven frontline vehicles and 20 reserves are over 25 years old. Nearly 90 percent of ambulances have exceeded the five-year limit recommended for their service life.
The fleet investment is part of broader efforts by Mayor Lurie to increase emergency preparedness since taking office. The San Francisco Government reported that Dean Crispen was appointed as fire chief on Lurie’s second full day in office. The administration launched a citywide “ReadySF” campaign and joined preparedness exercises at Fireboat Station 35.
Mayor Lurie also supported the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team program and oversaw safety operations during recent major public events.
Mayor Lurie said: “Public safety is my number one priority, and that means making sure our first responders have the tools they need to keep San Franciscans safe. “By modernizing our fleet, we can respond faster in emergencies and keep everyone safer. “Thank you to Supervisor Chan, President Mandelman, Chief Crispen, and San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 for working alongside me and supporting this legislation.”
Chief Dean Crispen said: “The SFFD is grateful to the mayor and Board of Supervisors for supporting and approving this critical legislation. “A special appreciation is owed to Supervisor Chan for authoring this and President Mandelman for guiding this through the legislative process. “The behest payment waiver legislation will allow our department to team with private partners to purchase new fire apparatus. This partnership will allow us to fortify our aging fleet and increase our readiness.
“San Francisco is prone to large fires due to our topography and building construction.
“Furthermore, we are highly susceptible to a conflagration after an earthquake. “Our department is aware that it will take a significant number of resources to combat these disasters.
“Purchasing new fire trucks, engines and ambulances is essential to fulfilling this mission.
“This legislation demonstrates our elected leaders’ awareness of this potential. They have taken action, and our city is safer thanks to their leadership.”
Sam Gebler, Vice President of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, said: “This legislation is a critical investment in the safety of both firefighters and the people of San Francisco. “By unlocking private funds to modernize our aging fleet, we can respond to emergencies quickly, safely, and more effectively. “Thank you to Mayor Lurie and the Board of Supervisors for prioritizing public safety and giving our firefighters the tools we need to keep San Francisco’s communities safe.”
