New Rig Fund Raising News -- Deadline Extended

We are VERY close to making our purchase!

Because of some "potential" money, our "matching" donor has agreed to extend the deadline for the matching grant for another week, until the 8th of September, -- but that will be it.

I checked with our Treasurer (Cliff Smith) today about how the drive is going. So far, we have raised close to $28K over the $20K the Board has agreed to spend from our treasury. That leaves us only $7,000 short of the $35K we set as our fund raising goal!

There are additional contributions that have been promised, but not yet received. We need to keep working to achieve our goal.

John Whitaker
Vice President, FASCV

Fund Raising for New Rig Nears Goal

As reported in the August, 2008 edition of “The Embers”, Fire Associates needs to replace Support Unit #2. This old rig handles the bulk of our responses and is on its last legs. The "Rig Acquisition Committee" has set a fund-raising goal $35,000. As of August 20, the total now stands at $15,800 -- not quite half way.

If you can help, send a tax-deductible check to:

Fire Associates
New Rig Fund
455 S. Mathilda Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-7605

FASCV is a non-profit, tax-deductible organization per Federal Tax Code, Section 501(c)4. All donations are greatly needed so we may continue providing rehab support to the personnel of Santa Clara County’s 12 fire departments in the manner we have done for the past 39 years.

August 20, 2008 -- Plane Crash Response for Cal Fire

On Wednesday evening, at approximately 7:45 P.M., FASCV was paged by Cal Fire to respond to the scene of a light plane crash in San Martin. Although the incident was located at the CHP Truck Scales on northbound Highway 101, within South County Fire's jurisdiction, FASCV's presence was requested by Cal Fire. Our response was requested because of a lengthy overhaul effort necessitated by the presence of the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office and CHP accident investigation team.

John Whiteside responded in Support Unit 2 while John Whitaker and Mike Chappell arrived in their private vehicles. The scene was eerily lit by a combination of fire department floodlights and the lights from about a half-dozen TV news vans. Also on scene, were two CHP helicopters -- one bringing in the accident team while the other reportedly came down from Sacramento with CHP "brass". Because a CHP facility was involved with a plane crash, evidence gatherers had to rule out any sort of "intentional" action.

FASCV provided the usual Cliff Bars, drinks and coffee before being released by Cal Fire at 11:10 P.M.

A news story about the event can be viewed at this link: GilroyDispatch.com

A fact sheet for the aircraft involved can be viewed at: SOCATA Rallye 235E

John Whitaker's photo from the response can be viewed at: San Martin Plane Crash

Firefighter Dies In Off-duty Accident

The following information was passed along from Santa Clara County Fire Assistant Fire Chief, Steven Staump:

"It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Firefighter Jim McCluskey.

Jim became a member of the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District on October 20, 1986. He served for several years as a paramedic and as a member of the Department’s Special Operations Task Force. Active in community service, Jim served as a member of the Campbell Police Department S.W.A.T. paramedic program, and as a council member in his hometown of Patterson, California.

In respect to Firefighter McCluskey, flags at all Department facilities will be flown at half-staff, and will remain at half-staff until the time of interment, which is expected to be some time during the coming week. Funeral service information is forthcoming. Please join me in keeping the McCluskey family in your thoughts and prayers."

Details of the accident can be read in this article from the "Patterson Irrigator", a newspaper from Patterson, CA: "Firefighter Dies In Accident"

Details of the upcoming services can be read at: Jim McCluskey Memorial

August 8, 2008 -- 2nd-Alarm Reponse for County Fire

On Friday morning, Aug. 8, at 2:44 A.M., Santa Clara County Fire paged FSCV to a second-alarm fire in Los Gatos. Located at 14 E. Main Street, the fire was at the rear of Capelli Salon -- a beauty parlor. Responding in Support Unit 2 was John Whiteside. He was met by Jerry Haag and John Whitaker, who were already on scene.

Fire crews reported that flames were "blowing out the back of the structure" when they arrived. The firefighting efforts were hampered by a Life Safety Alert for wires down on the "Charile" side of the single-story building. FASCV set up at the rehab site located on the Main Street bridge -- directly over Hwy 17. The ususal sevices (water, coffee, etc.) were provided along with gormet cookies that were left over from the FASCV August monthly meeting that had been held only hours before the call. Support Unit 2 was released by the IC at approximatly 5:30 A.M.

More photos can be viewed at: Capelli Salon - Los Gatos

August 3, 2008 -- Response for Palo Alto Fire

Sunday Morning, Aug. 3, at 7:20 A.M., Palo Alto Fire Dispatch was contacted by the resident of 841 Melville to advise that there were flames coming from the dishwasher. The first-due engine (E3) was about 5 blocks away and, upon arrival, advised of a single-family dwelling "fully involved". The structure was about 3,000 sq. ft.

Larry Carr responded with FSU #4 and was assisted by Bob Gundrum and visitor, Ron Green. FSU #4 was released and back in "quarters" by 10:00 A.M.

-- Information provided by FASCV member Bob Gundrum

New Rig Fund Raising Status

Fire Associates needs to replace Support Unit #2. This old rig handles the bulk of our rehab responses and is on its last legs. The Rig Acquisition Committee has set a fund-raising goal of $35,000.

To help, please send a check to:

Fire Associates New Rig Fund
455 S. Mathilda Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-7605

FASCV is a non-profit, tax-deductible organization per Federal Tax Code, Section 501(c)4. All donations are greatly needed so we may continue providing rehab support Santa Clara County’s 12 fire departments in the manner we have done for the past 39 years.

A status of the current total can be viewed at: "The Embers" - August

Aug. 2, 2008 -- Response for Santa Clara County Fire

On Saturday night, August 2, at 9:56 P.M., FASCV was paged by Santa Clara County Fire to a grass fire in the Redwood Estates village off Highway 17. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains off La Verne Drive, the fire was down at the base of a very steep ravine near a tree house. Responding for FASCV was John Whiteside in Support Unit 2 who was met at the scene by John Whitaker.

Thank goodness for GPS!!!

The roads in this area resemble driveways more than streets and finding one's way in the darkness without an exact address proved to be a challenge. Once located, vehicle access was limited with atleast 10 fire rigs parked nose-to-tail in the darkness. The incident was declared a "high dispatch" fire because of the limited access and the fire's potential to race up the hillside. Although technically only a single alarm, a special request was made for Fire Associates' service.

Gatorade, water and Cliff Bars were walked into the fire command area to refresh very tired fire crews. One firefighter was transported by AMR ambulance due to exhaustion. FASCV was asked to leave the provisions on scene and then back out our vehicles to allow access for the AMR rig. The Support Unit was returned to quarters around midnight.