Glendalegoon
You talk about the traditions of SFFD and Chicago FD- I assume you are referencing the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and SF earthquake of 1906. What do these historical incidents over 100 years old have to do with ARFF in 2013?
You familiar with a water cannon salute? I watched a SFO FD water cannon unit fire foam during a salute in 2012. That doesn't mean that all SFO FD water cannon drivers are incompetent, just that at any one time, someone can fcuk up.
In any case, the command of SFO FD ought to be the issue.