though the city of san francisco had operated two fireboats from the early 1900 until 1954, the "phoenix" was the only fireboat in the city from 1955 until the 1989 loma prieta earthquake. because of the role of "phoenix" in the protection of the marina district after the 1989 earthquake, $50,000 from grateful marina property owners and $300,000 from anonymous donors were used purchase and refurbish "guardian". upon arrival in san francisco, the ship was rechristened "guardian", a name chosen by the school children of san francisco at the request of the anonymous donors.