San Francisco Has a New 'Vision Zero' Fire Truck

The size of fire trucks frustrates advocates on many sides of the public safety debate. The San Francisco Fire Department sought a solution.

2 minute read

November 10, 2017, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New Orleans Fire Truck

Fire trucks in New Orleans have been designed to navigate the city's narrow streets. | Chad Kainz / Flickr

San Francisco recently announced the roll out of three new fire trucks, with five more on the way, that are designed to better maneuver the city's streets.     

"The new engine, one of eight that will be deployed in the city, is ten inches shorter than the old trucks it is replacing, and can make a u-turn in just 25 feet," reports Roger Rudick. Those kind of vital statistics should excite anyway who has ever sought traffic safety improvements only to be told that narrow streets don't allow for safe passage of fire equipment.

Fire trucks have been a hot button issue in San Francisco since at least 2014, when "then-Supervisor Scott Wiener called on the fire department to design trucks to fit the city, rather than demanding that streets be designed to accommodate fire trucks," according to Rudick. Since then, the San Francisco Fire Department worked with Walk San Francisco and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition on the design of the new trucks.

While San Francisco seems to have achieved a measure of success on the issue, the fire department still controls the street engineering department debate in most cities. Previous coverage from Planetizen provides more background on the controversy:

Friday, November 3, 2017 in SF.Streetsblog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post