Engines rev and sirens wail. Have you ever wondered about the stories behind those calls? I am about to tell you about San Francisco Fire Station 37.
San Francisco Fire Station 37 stands proudly at the corner of 22nd and Wisconsin streets. It is near the top of Potrero Hill. Built in 1914, it has watched the city grow around it.
Construction of San Francisco Fire Station 37 proceeded without much fanfare. This was because a lot of building was being done after the 1906 earthquake. The station is known for its striking brickwork. Its facade is adorned with elaborate terra cotta.
In the 1990s, a proposed addition sparked concern. People worried about losing artistic details. They wanted the new wing to be historically compatible.
A workout facility, women’s locker room, and officers’ quarters were added. Also a new computerized dispatch system was added. A plain, beige, three-story structure replaced the old kitchen and storage area in 1996. The historic building was seismically retrofitted. The impressive entryway of San Francisco Fire Station 37 was reinstalled.
Inside, the firehouse retains its classic charm. It has original 1914 floors. Firefighters still use the sliding pole to descend from the third-floor dorm. The red fire engine boasts brass fittings and valves. Lieutenant Leo Tingin says they look like jewelry when polished.
San Francisco Fire Station 37 still uses a card catalog. It works with an earlier method of emergency communication. In the old days a bell would ring. The number of rings indicated a digit within a larger number. Firefighters pulled the corresponding card. It showed the street corner of the fire.
The cards designated response order. Tingin finds the cards handy. He says he always references these.
San Francisco Fire Station 37 is staffed 24/7. A generator keeps it operational during power outages. Four firefighters are on duty each shift. Shifts start at 8 a.m. and end at 8 a.m. the next day.
The city pays for the engine and equipment. Food, coffee, and cable TV are financed through “house duties”. The watch-person cooks two meals daily.
The menu has evolved. Lighter fare replaced heavy plates of meat. Firefighters engage in constant self-readying. They inspect the truck and prep gear. They check every fire hydrant on the Hill every Saturday. They also do a lot of area orientation. This involves driving around to see what’s going on.
Firefighters check for cleared exits and working extinguishers. They learn their buildings. They put notes in their dispatch.
San Francisco Fire Station 37 strives to be a friendly presence. They hold chili cookoffs. They perform a yearly fire safety drill at Starr King Elementary School.
On average, the station responds to three to six calls per day. They gather their equipment and load the truck within one minute. The fire engine can navigate the Hill’s steepest streets. It arrives at the scene in under 10 minutes.
About 70 percent of the calls are medical issues. The department addresses car accidents and gas leaks. They also handle water leaks and fire calls. They are an all-risk agency.
Station 37 covers Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and Mission Bay. San Francisco has roughly one fire station per square mile. The Wisconsin Street firehouse is one of the smallest.
San Francisco Fire Station 37 remains a vital part of the community. It is ready to respond to any emergency.