Page 154 - Historical Study of Yerba Buena Island, Treasure Island and Their Buildings

Finally in the late 1970's, new equipment was installed that controlled the smoke and almost
completely ended this unwanted air pollution problem. The original firefighting school at
Treasure Island was replaced in 1991 with a new structure; however, the old school was not
demolished until 1993. Today, the new school is one of the finest found anywhere. The facility
instructs over 12,000 students each year in the proper procedures for fighting all four classes of
fires. It is scheduled for closure in 1997.

RADIAC Instrument Maintenance was taught under the auspices of the Navy's Medical Service
Corps at Treasure Island. The RADIAC course taught the proper handling, maintenance, and
repair of RADIAC instruments. These portable instruments, small in size, have unusually high
voltages and are extremely sensitive. Each RADIAC instrument is equipped with a check
sources (small, radioactive elements mounted on the instrument) which is used for quick
calibration in the field. This course was the only one of its kind taught in the Navy. It was
closed in 1993.

The Underway Replenishment School, also a "one-of-a-kind" school, provided instruction
specialized courses, such as Cargo Weapons Elevator Systems which included electrical,
mechanical, and hydraulic theories combined with advanced troubleshooting. A full-scale Cargo
Weapons Elevator was the perfect training aid for students to practice their skills before
encountering them aboard ship. The school is scheduled for closure in 1996.

The Religious Program Specialist School provided a curriculum that included communication,
program support, financial accounting and office procedures. The courses were divided into two
levels; an "A" school for the basics and a "C" school which concentrated on advanced chapel
management. Again, this was a one-of-a-kind school, that closed in 1988.

The Leadership and Management Education and Training provided instruction in the most
current management theories and definitions, as well as classroom experience to Leading Petty
Officers (LPOs), Chief Petty Officers (CPOs), and Divis.ion Officers. Additionally, there were
two more courses available to the Officers: (1) Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, and
(2) Overseas Deployer Coordinator, whose would be responsible to brief those assigned to their
command on cross-cultural communication prior to visits in foreign ports.

From 1969 to 1977, the Twelfth Naval District (12ND) was headquartered at Treasure Island.
The concern of the 12ND was the defense of the coast of California. Established originally in
1903, it was administered from Mare Island Naval Shipyard until 1915, when it moved to San
Francisco. There the 12ND remained, moving from office building to office building, until
1936, when it moved into the Federal Office Building located in San Francisco. In 1969, the
Navy moved the 12ND to Treasure Island where it was administered from Building 257. Then in
1972, the Navy relocated the 12ND into Building 1 at Treasure Island and there the 12ND
remained until disestablished in 1977.

US Naval Station Treasure Island was redesignated a US Naval Support Activity in 1975. This
was short-lived, as Treasure Island was again designated US Naval Station, Treasure Island in
1980 which remains its designation to this day. Regardless of title, Treasure Island has
continued to provide general service to the fleet and has carried on its training mission. In the
last few years, the Naval Station had two unusual ships, of interest berthed at her piers, the
Potomac and the Hoga. Their histories are as follows:

2-50 Historical Study ofYerba Buena Island, September I, 1995
Treasure Island, and their Buildings