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

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.

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.

4 CR1's rear profile shows the side running pipes, hubs, and white anchor points used fo Read more 688 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Aug 10, 2015 Fire Truck Photo of the Day-E-ONE Cyclone II Aerial Read more 639 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Aug 7, 2015 Ferrara Ultra Heavy Rescue Read more 696 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Aug 6, 2015 Fire Truck Pictures-Pierce Saber Pumper Read more 608 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious4586458745884589459045914592459345944595NextLast Theme picker Section Quick Links   Fire Mechanics Documents EVT Discussion Forum Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery Training & Testing 2019 Scholarship Logo Wear Store Upcoming Events Theme picker Sponsors Fire Mechanics Section Board Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Chair Elliot Courage North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Vice Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Vice Chair Mike Smith  Pierce County Fire District #5 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Secretary Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Secretary Greg Bach South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #1 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #1 Doug Jones South Kitsap Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #2 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #2 Paul Spencer  Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #3 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #3 Jim Morris Mountain View Fire Department Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #4 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #4 Arnie Kuchta Clark County Fire District 6 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #6 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #6 Brett Annear Kitsap County Fire District 18 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #5 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #5 Jay Jacks Camano Island Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Legislative Representative Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Legislative Representative TBD TBD Read more 3390 0 Article rating: No rating Immediate Past Chair Posted: Oct 20, 2015 Immediate Past Chair Brian Fortner Graham Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating RSS Theme picker 2020 CAR SHOW Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2025 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM