Fire Associates On Scene for 10 Hrs. In Milpitas

 


(Click to Enlarge Photo)

Before noon on a sunny Saturday morning, FASCV received a request for support from Milpitas Fire Department. They were dealing with a trench collapse on a construction site at 814 Calaveras Ridge Drive, and were anticipating an extended operation. Bruce Dembecki responded with Fire Support Unit 2 and arrived on scene around 12:15. He was met on scene by FASCV member Ron Green and his wife, Barbera, and was later joined by FASCV member Mike Chappell.     
       
Workers were on scene and working on the site, including by a retaining wall that was believed to be unstable. The wall collapsed, trapping one worker in a trench. Arriving Fire Fighters were confronted with a mountain of unstable dirt above the area where the worker was trapped, and bravely made access to the area where the worker was trapped. Once they reached the worker they discovered there was nothing they could do to help him, and withdrew from the area to work out a safe recovery plan.

Investigators from Cal OSHA, Milpitas PD and the Santa Clara County Coroner's office were called to the scene. While investigators did their work Fire Department officials were working on recovery options. The operation continued throughout the warm afternoon and cold drinks were popular at the Rehab section. As we transitioned to evening operations the temperature dipped, and FSU2 switched into hot drink mode, serving coffee and hot chocolate to workers on the scene. FSU 2's lighting capabilities also contributed to lighting the scene, along with the Light Tower on MFD USAR 1.

By 10:00pm it was determined the threat of further collapse of the loose dirt was too dangerous to continue the operation and operations were suspended for the evening. The plan for Sunday is to cover the worker with a concrete box and use an excavator to pull the  piles of dirt down, rendering the area safe. Once the collapse threat is removed the excavator crews will be able to dig around the concrete box and complete the recovery operation. Milpitas Police Department will remain on scene overnight, and the Milpitas Fire Department will monitor the operation on Sunday for safety.

-- Report submitted by Bruce Dembecki

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  Milpitas Rescue Effort
           
• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Man Buried in Milpitas Accident

 

FSU-2 Responds to 2nd Alarm in San Jose

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

   
On Thursday morning, January 19, Fire Associates reponded to a 2nd alarm house fire on the edge of San Jose's east foothills. Located at 3697 Norwood Ave., the fire was in one of two homes on a rural property. Bruce Dembecki responded in Fire Support Unit 2 and was met on scene by FASCV member John Whitaker.

Although the fire was initially called in at 4:14 A.M., Fire Associates was not called until 6:03 A.M. when firefighters realized that Med30's cold water and Gatorade was not exactly what they needed in 39-degree weather. Needless to say, John and Bruce quickly made several pots of hot coffee to meet the demand.

After servicing all those on scene, FSU-2 stayed on scene until fresh crews arrived for the 8:00 A.M. shift change. Temperatures were still not very high, so coffee continued to be in demand. FSU-2 was released from the incident at 8:45 A.M.

• John's photos from the incident can be viewed at:  Norwood Ave. Fire
  

• Bruce's photos are at:  San Jose House Fire

Fire Associates Called to Milpitas Blaze

  

Date and Time: 14 January 2012, 1936 hours page-out, 2000 arrival on-scene

Agency: Milpitas Fire
Incident Address: 212 Balboa, Milpitas
Type: Full first alarm, special call for Fire Associates.
  
Details: Moderate size, late model, two-story frame dwelling. Fire on second floor, initial concerns about possible spread to attic. All attack lines from Truck 4 (quint).

Agency Responders:
MLP: E-1, 2 and 301; USAR-1; T-4 and 1; IC-Batt. 19 (Vaughn)

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 2130 hours.

FASCV Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver) and Jerry Haag

  

-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag

   

San Jose Senior Center Fire Goes to 3 Alarms

  

At 0207 hours on January 9, John Whiteside heard an annoying buzzing sound and soon realized it was his fire pager for San Jose Fire Dept. assistance. San Jose had a 3^rd alarm structure fire and needed a Fire Support Unit on scene for fire fighter rehabilitation. John notified Sonitrol, our paging service, and started toward Fire Station 6 to drive FSU-2. He departed the station at 0250 and was soon on scene. A 9-unit, 2-story condo was ablaze within a large retirement community near Capitol Expressway and Alum Rock Avenue, the fire building being 2645 Madden Avenue, cross of Alexander Avenue.

SJ Engine 5 had just been designated as “Rehab” when John advised SJ Fire by radio that he was at Staging, and E5 advised to follow them in. Due to congestion, they had to park about ½ block out. E5’s crew helped transport necessary supplies to the Rehab area, next to the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse interior was being used as a processing center for the displaced occupants. The firefighters were being Rehabed outside on the patio under a semi-permanent tent. It was convenient since there were lights, tables and chairs, restrooms, potable water and electric outlets for hot liquid preparation. The morning temperature was just above freezing. Firefighters assisted in making coffee as John was “walking in” the last of the supplies. The Red Cross made arrangements for the displaced residents. Five occupants were taken to hospitals for observation and treatment.

A very good fire stop was made by SJFD and only 4 units were burned. John returned FSU #2 to Sta 6 at 0630 hours.

• A CBS News story and video can be viewed at: 5 Injured in San Jose Fire

• An ABC TV News video can be viewed at: Mayfield Golden Manor Fire

 

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside

 

First Run of the Year on New Years Day

  

The arrival of the new year brought with it Fire Associates' first run of 2012.

Responder John Whiteside was monitoring his emergency radio as 2012 arrived. At approximately 0100, San Jose dispatched a “full first” alarm (3 engines, 2 trucks, 2 BCs, and Med 30) to a report of a bedroom fire at 429 N. Fifth Street, between Washington and Empire Streets. Upon arrival, Engine 1 reported a fully involved older, single-story house. A second alarm was requested and shortly thereafter a third alarm was called. Upon hearing the third alarm request, which triggers Fire Associates’ responses for San Jose fires, John contacted the answering service, Sonitrol, to say he was responding with Fire Support Unit #2 and to page out the info after San Jose Fire Dispatch calls with the location data.

John picked up FSU #2 at SJFD Station 6 and proceeded to the fire. He encountered heavy auto and pedestrian traffic in downtown San Jose about 0140 due to New Year’s celebrations, but finally got through the congestion and arrived at the fire scene. It took awhile, but John finally got the supplies setup for Rehab. Later, responder Mike Chappell arrived from Gilroy, over 30 miles away, to assist. The favorites were hot chocolate and Clif Bars. The temperature was in the mid-30 degrees, but not yet freezing.

A 5-inch supply line pumped by Engine 8, to Engine 1, was laid southward from Empire St. across the Milpitas-San Jose Union Pacific rail line, blocking trains on that route. The involved house was located adjacent to, and south of, the tracks, on the west side of Fifth Street. It looked like a total loss.

FSU #2 was released about 0430 and John finally got home at 0500.

 

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside

   

"The Embers" Typo Corrected Here

    
There was an error in our January 2012 edition of The Embers newsletter. A typo appeared in the RSVP contact e-mail address for the Santa Clara County Fire Dept. firefighters retirement dinner. To make certain that you get all the correct information, the article has been reprinted here, in its entirety:
    

IAFF Local 1165, Santa Clara County Firefighters, is holding a retirement dinner on 1/28/12 at the Hyatt Place Hotel (adjacent to San Jose Convention Center) for 37 firefighters who have retired over recent months. For information and reservations, go to daronp@pacbell.net. We've known many of these retirees since they began their careers.

Tony Balsa; Tim Baughman; John Becker; Graesson Berbano; Steve Black; Todd Bruce; Tom Buchan; Manuel Burns; Melanie Chase; Kevin Dennis; Patty Doler; Steve Franklin; Vincent Fung; Jim Galbo; Marsha Hovey; Craig Jessup; Randy Jones; Karen Kuns; Todd Lamert; Clark Mauel; Teresa Meisenbach; Bill Morrison; Mark Nadvornik; Don Olson; Hal Rooney; Kelly Seitz; Steve Stockman; Rick Stoker; Jim Swanson; Bill Sylvester; Nick Valdez; Monique Vandenberg; Wes Vanosdol; Joe Virarnontez; Ken Waldvogel; Ian Wallace and Charles Witmer.

   

Christmas Day 3-Alarm Fire Causes Fire Associates Response

    

On Christmas afternoon, at approximately 6:00PM, San Jose Fire dispatched on a structure fire located a few blocks away from Station 35. The incident address was 244 Omira Drive, near Lean Avenue. It was a 2-story house, single-family, with several wheelchair-bound occupants. The first on-scene unit, Truck 35, concentrated on rescue of the occupants. Heavy fire was soon reported in the garage and a 2^nd alarm was called. Soon a precautionary 3^rd alarm was called, which triggered a response from Fire Associates for a Fire Support Unit (FSU). John Whiteside was monitoring the call from the beginning, notified the answering/paging service and started responding upon the 3^rd alarm request.

Just as John was leaving his driveway enroute to pick up FSU #3 at Station 35, he monitored a fire dispatch to a chimney fire on Loma Prieta Drive, a few blocks from his house and an empty Station 12, which was at the Omira fire. Since John would have to go past this fire scene, he rerouted to it, gave a status report via radio to San Jose Fire, then continued on to Station 35 to activate FSU-3.

Upon John’s arrival at the Omira fire in FSU-3, the Incident Commander requested he set up for coffee and drinks. Soon John was joined by Don Gilbert, and then Mike Chappell. Clif Bars were available for anyone who wanted them -- or maybe had not yet had Christmas dinner.  FSU-3 was released at  9:30PM and returned to nearby Station 35.

There were many “Thank you’s” from area residents to both the firemen and policemen at the scene for working Christmas Day, as well as to Fire Associates from the fire personnel. It seems that either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is a regular fire callout for Fire Associates, based on the past few years’ history. 

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside

   

Three Fires In A Span of 5 Hours Keeps Fire Associates Members Busy

The first day of December became a busy day for Santa Clara county fire departments and, hence, Fire Associates' members. Three different fires in the span of 5 hours stretched from Campbell to South San Jose. Descriptions of the 3 events follows:

3:21 P.M. Thursday, December 1 

Photo by Brian A. Floyd, Campbell Patch

Santa Clara County Fire Calls for Aid at 2-Alarm Fire In Campbell

On Wednesday evening, the weather forecasters were all predicting strong winds for the entire state of California. So, it was not surprising when a structure fire in Campbell quickly went to a second alarm. John Whitaker was returning home from an errand when the call for assistance came from the Santa Clara County Fire Department. He looked across the Valley and saw a plume of smoke rising from the Valley's West Side.

John quickly went home, donned his FASCV gear, and responded in Fire Support Unit 2 to the location at 420 Nello Drive - parallelling San Tomas Expressway. He was met on scene by FASCV member George Hoyt who helped with rehab location. Also helping with rehab set up was past FASCV guest Walt Huber.

Considering the strong winds, and the building's shake-roof construction, County Fire crews made a good knockdown of the blaze. The fire apparently began in a garage area at the rear of the structure. Flames spread up the exterior of the building and entered he attic space through the roof vents. Once inside the attic, the fire ran the length of the building.
About an hour after FSU-2 arrived on scene, a second, unrelated, multi-alarm fire broke out less than 2 miles away. Crews who were on the periphery of the fireground were quickly dispatched to the new incident, leaving extremely "jealous" first-in firefighters who were still occupied with the Nello Drive overhaul.

• John's photos can be viewed at: Nello Drive Incident

4:49 P.M. Thursday, December 1 
Another 2-Alarm Incident Causes Santa Clara County Fire to Respond to Its Second Fire In Campbell

Photo by Brian A. Floyd, Campbell Patch

 
The second fire of the day was not far from the first. Located at 600 Marathon Drive, just 2 intersections up the San Tomas Expressway, this fire was burning on an exterior balcony. Because of the high winds, it didn't take long for the fire to enter the attic and through the 12-unit building.
 
Because Fire Support Unit 2 was tied up providing service at the first fire, Bob Gundrum responded to this incident in FSU-1. He was joined on scene by Jerry Haag, Ron Green, Bruce Dembecki, Larry Carr, George Hoyt and Walter Huber (guest). John Whitaker was eventually released from the Nello Drive fire and responded in with FSU-2. Jerry's report follows:

Date and Time: 01 December 2011, 1630 hours
Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 600 Marathon Drive, Campbell
Type: 2nd alarm.

Details: Large, two-story, non-sprinklered apartment building. Fire on a second floor balcony, threat to spread to attic. Truss roof warning issued.

Responders:
CNT: E-6, 8, 9, 15, 301; R-17 and 3; T-1, 5; HM-2; BS-2; ICs Batt-2 (Cocraft) and Batt-12 (Salazar); Batt-3; Batt-14
FASCV Responding Units: FSU-1, supplemented by FSU-2 which was returning from a nearby 2nd alarm fire. Eventually, FSU-2 left the scene to go back into service just in time to attend a Tier vegetation fire in South San Jose. FSU-1 was released at 1930 hours.

• An article covering the two Campbell fires can be read on the Campbell Patch page at: Fires Displace Residents
   
• John's photos can be viewed at: 2-Alarm Apartment Fire

7:21 P.M. Thursday, December 1
Fire Associates Responds to a Rare Nighttime Tier Vegetation Fire in South San Jose

Photo by Bruce Dembecki

 
With two structure fires under his belt, John Whitaker was just about to put FSU-2 away for the night at SJFD Station 6 when the rig radio began to crackle with word of a vegetation fire in South San Jose. So, sitting on the apron of Station 6, and knowing that it was a cold, windy night, John called Fire Dispatch to ask if the IC would like to have an already staffed Support Unit respond. The reply from Battalion 13 was, "Yes!" That's all John needed to hear, and he was off!

Located at 5215 Hellyer Ave., the fire was reported to be about an acre in size and located behind a row of office and industrial buildings. Even with the quicker than usual response, by the time John arrived, the fire had already been knocked down and crews were mopping up. The Engine 18 Captain explained that they had been to the site about an hour earlier and could not find a fire. This time, the crews had a better idea where to look and arrived at the exact site. With a hydrant handy, the engines were able to quell the fire with deck guns and minimal hand lines -- therefore, there was not much mop up required.

By this time, John had been joined by George Hoyt and Bruce Dembecki, who helped provide some fluids and Clif Bars to crews who had not yet had dinner. MMMMM... Gatorade and Clif Bars for dinner - yum!
 

FASCV Responds to 3-Alarm Incident for Santa Clara County Fire Dept.

 
Date & Time: 26 November 2011, 1800 hours
Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 21230 Homestead Road, Cupertino
Type: 3rd alarm.
 
Details: Incident located at Village Green Apartments - a large, two-story, nonsprinklered apartment building. Fire showing from a second floor end unit on arrival of E-1, quickly spread to attic. Water supply a problem, initially. No hydrants in the complex necessitating  an extremely long lay of 5" supply line.


Responders: CNT: E-1, 2, 7, 9, 16; R-14, 17; T-1; HM-2; BS-2; IC-Batt. 14 (Werner), Batt-3, Batt-2
SJS: T-14; LU-14; E-15; Med-30, Batt-10
SNY: E-3
MTV: Batt-18
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 2125 hours.
FASCV Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver), Geoge Hoyt, Jerry Haag, Mike Chappell and Josh Chappell (guest).

• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at: Fire Leaves 50 People Homeless
   
• Photos by Craig Allyn Rose:  Homestead Rd. Fire    

  
-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag

   

FASCV Responds to 2-Alarm Fire for Santa Clara County Fire

  

Date & Time: 16 November 2011, 0242 hours 

Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 10256 Glencoe Drive, Cupertino  

Type: 2nd alarm.
 

Details: Small, single-story, single-family, occupied house. Fireplace coals placed in can outside under eaves flared up and fire entered the concealed space between the original flat roof and remodel peaked roof. Substantial damage to the house, one adult and four children displaced.

Responders:
CNT: E-1, 2, 7, 16, 17; R-14; T-1; HM-2; BS-2; IC-Batt. 2 (Cocroft), Batt-14
SJS: T-14

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 0600 hours.
FASCV Responders: Jerry Haag (driver) and Ron Green

     

-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag