By Peter Ong
The San Francisco (CA) Fire Department (SFFD) has two 2000 Ford F-150 XLT pickups for coastal rescue. Coastal Rescue One (CR1) operates from Station 34, and Coastal Rescue Two (CR2) rolls out from Station 18. Each F-150 XLT extended-cab 4x4 comes with a 5.4-liter Triton V8 IHC engine running unleaded gas and generating 350 horsepower (hp). Both pickups have modifications and equipment fittings made by SFFD shops. These pickups replaced two long-serving 1973 Ford one-ton 4x4 pickups for coastal rescue duties as of May, 2002.1
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| CR1 is one of two 2000 Ford F-150 XLT pickups the SFFD uses for coastal rescue. It has modifications and equipment fittings made by SFFD shops. (Photos by author unless otherwise noted.) |
In August 2002, CR1 had the name "Cliff Rescue" before being relabeled "Coastal Rescue" in gold lettering on the doors and tailgate. The name change occurred because a "cliff rescue" could easily turn into a "surf rescue" if the victim falls into the water from the numerous rocks, cliffs, and bluffs lining the San Francisco coast. Nonetheless, CR1 still carries more cliff and mountain rappelling equipment than CR2. Outwardly, both pickups appear as exact duplicates with similar functions. However, CR1 has unique differences compared to CR2 that make CR1 more suited for the cliff rescues as designated by SFFD.
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| 2 3 In photo 2 is CR2 at Station 18. Note the different tires, side running boards, and wheel hubs compared to CR1 below. On CR1, the different tires, round wheel hub holes, and side running pipes are best suited for cliff rescue. (Photos courtesy of the SFFD.) |
The tires and side running boards comprise the main difference in appearance and functionality. CR2 rolls on Goodyear™ Wrangler AT/S™ tires with conventional wheel hubs and tire stems. CR1 rolls on Mickey Thompson™ Baja Claw™ tires with custom steel hubs and tire deflation stems. CR1's wider Baja Claws™ have more aggressive tread patterns for better traction off road, on park trails, and in the sand. Ideal for operating in the sand, the Baja Claws also distribute the pickup's weight better through its aggressive tread pattern. Furthermore, CR1's wheel hubs have larger round holes in them to allow looping and tying of rescue ropes directly to the wheels to serve as side wheel anchors, a feature CR2 does not have. CR1 also has tubular side running pipes under the doors to allow for inserting and looping rescue ropes onto the side anchors. CR2 has conventional manufacturer-stock flat-panel running boards.
Engine 34 and CR1
CR1 shares a two-story, two-bay retrofitted brick firehouse with Engine 34, a Spartan Gladiator 500-gallon-tank pumper with a custom body by 3D. On coastal rescue calls, both vehicles respond with four firefighters-two in CR1 and two in Engine 34. In addition to coastal rescue calls, the four firefighters also staff Engine 34, which responds to all of Station 34's fire, emergency, and medical calls. All Station 34 firefighters are cross-trained in fire, EMS, and coastal rescue.
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4 CR1's rear profile shows the side running pipes, hubs, and white anchor points used fo
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