South San Francisco Fire Department

Station 5

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I visited the South San Francisco Fire Department (NOT, as I was told, to be confused with the San Francisco Fire Department!) in March 2000. They have over 80 full-time employees and 5 stations. Station 5 is located in the midst of an explosion of new development. Although housing seems to be abundant, the crew told me that the cost of living is outrageous which discourages many of them from having homes nearby. Some of their firefighters commute from as far away as Los Angeles!