Redwood City Announces Finalists in Fireboat Naming Contest

The City of Redwood City acquired a new fireboat that will be used to fight fires on or near the shore.

Malcolm Smith, communications manager for Redwood City, said this new fireboat will give the city faster, better and more effective ways to resolve emergency situations. He said the boat will be the only fireboat in the south San Francisco Bay, making it a crucial tool in keeping the region safe in the event of a disaster.

“As recent events have shown (the recent 6-alarm fire in Redwood City and the jet crash at SFO), it's impossible to predict when a fire or other emergency will occur - but it's clear that having sufficient equipment and resources to respond to such emergencies and save lives is of the utmost importance,” Smith said.  “Redwood City's new fireboat will be available for mutual aid response to emergencies in other communities on the Bay, enhancing the overall safety and disaster preparedness for the region,” he added.

The boat was purchased with a grant from the federal Homeland Security Department, which will also fund training for people who will be using the boat.  The new fireboat, which is a MetalCraft Marine Firestorm 36, cost about $1,000,000. 

Now, it needs a proper name.  The Redwood City Fire Department crowdsourced names from children in the community and gathered more than 100 nominations. 

The 10 names that made it to the final round are:

• · Aquarius
• · Bay Sentinel
• · Gladiator
• · Guardian
• · Hephaestus
• · Lifesaver
• · Mighty Sequoian Fire Fighter
• · Redwood City Fireboat
• · Sequoia
• · Shepherd

Which one is your favorite?  Tell us in the comments.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2013, the name of the boat will be announced at an unveiling ceremony that will take place at the Port of Redwood City.  The port is located at 675 Seaport Boulevard.  The special naming ceremony is free and open to the public.