レポート 2562

Emergency Responder Incidents

In San Francisco comments on the Draft CPUC Resolution to approve the Cruise initial advice letter, San Francisco informed the Commission of an incident on April 5, 2022 when a Cruise AV stopped in a travel lane created an obstruction for a San Francisco Fire Department vehicle on its way to a 3 alarm fire. The Fire Department has an additional operational concern about Cruise AV driving around fire apparatus. On June 12, 2022, a Cruise AV ran over a fire hose that was in use at an active fire scene. Section 21708 of the California Vehicle Code provides that "No person shall drive or propel any vehicle or conveyance upon, over, or across, or in any manner damage any fire hose or chemical hose used by or under the supervision and control of any organized fire department ...." Driving over a fire hose that is in use can seriously injure firefighters. On January 21, 2023, a similar incident occurred. San Francisco Fire Department Staff were on duty at the scene of a fire on Hayes Street near the intersection with Divisadero Street. This location is within the initially approved commercial operations area. The Cruise AV entered the area of active firefighting and approached fire hoses on the ground. Firefighters on the scene made efforts to prevent the Cruise AV from driving over their hoses and were not able to do so until they shattered a front window of the Cruise AV. It is essential that AVs be able to recognize active fire scenes and avoid all firefighting apparatus -- including, as required by the California Vehicle Code, fire hoses.