February 20, 2009 --- 2nd-Alarm Response for Santa Clara County Fire

On Friday morning, Feb. 20, at 4:04 A.M., Fire Associates responded with Support Unit 4 to a 2nd-alarm fire in Saratoga. The following report was submitted by FASCV responder, Jerry Haag:

Date: 20 Feb. 2009
Time: 0404 Sonitrol Dispatch; 0445 Arrival; 0645 Released
Type: Structure Fire
Size: Second Alarm
Jurisdiction: Santa Clara County Fire
Location: 12746 Cambridge, Saratoga

Details: Single story, single-family, detached dwelling, ranch-type wood-frame. Fire started in a bedroom, spread into attic. Three residents displaced. According to IC, preliminary cause was a candle. All attack lines from E-9 (2-1-3/4" and 1- 2-1/2"). Water supply through one length of 5" from hydrant on fire-side of street. T-5 was Search and Ventilation. E-2 was RIC. Other responding companies were T-1, HM-1, E-17, BS-2 and R-17. IC was B-7 (Kendall Pearson).

Responding FASCV Members: Carr, Haag, Whitaker, Chappell
Unit responding: FS-4

John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at: Saratoga House Fire

New Fire Support Unit Update

Here is the latest information and photos of our new Ford F550 Fire Support Unit.

With the help of former SJFD Asst. Chief John McMillan, the lightbar, control switch box, radio and antennae installation was turned over to the SJFD shop. The work was completed today, Feb. 19, with a BIG thank you to Steve Bilycia, SJ shop communications installer, and Lee Tomita of Tomita Communications, LLC. Steve and Lee are shown in the above photos proudly showing off their work. (To see an enlargement, just click on the above photos.) Also involved in making this happen were shop manager Dan Sunseri and Don Beams, Fleet Manager, City of San Jose General Services Department.

By the way. The presence of the rig at the shop drew the attention of every mechanic there. They were all very impressed with both the quality of the rig and the caliber of the work done to date by Don Gilbert.

The latest word on the graphics application is that True Color Graphics is waiting for delivery of the vinyl material for the lettering. That is supposed to arrive next Tuesday and then the lettering then needs to be cut out to shape and applied to the rig.

The graphics application work probably won't be started until after the SJFD 155th Anniversary Celebration on February 26. That's too bad, but we have to live with it. In any case, the rig will be on display behind SJFD Station 1 during the event.

Three additional photos can be viewed at the following link: New FSU #2

Stay tuned. We're almost there!

February 11, 2009 -- 2nd-Alarm Response for Mountain View Fire

On Wednesday evening, Feb. 11, at 5:58 P.M., Fire Associates responded to a 2nd-alarm fire in Mountain View. The following report was submitted by FASCV responder, Jerry Haag:

Date: 11 Feb. 2009
Time: 1758 - Initial dispatch monitored by Haag and Williams; 1815 - Paged by Sonitrol; 1845 - Support Unit 1 arrival on-scene; 2000 - Released by IC.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: Mountain View
Location: 288 Church Street

Details: Small single story front apartment attached to two story rear section. Fire started in the living room, trapping sole female occupant in rear bedroom. First arriving company, Engine 1 (Capt. Jeff Cole), made rescue out through a window. Subsequent arriving engine, truck and rescue companies stretched two 1-3/4" and one 2-1/2" pre-connect from Engine 1. Water supply was from a hydrant directly in front of the fire building. Fire was confined to the unit of origin. Unknown number of residents displaced.
Remarks: Apparent cause a kerosene heating device in the living room. Victim transported to hospital Code 3 with smoke inhalation injuries.

Units in attendance: MTV E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, T-1, R-1. Also, PAF Batt. Chief and CNT E-14. IC was Batt. Chief Owen.

Responding FASCV Members: Larry Carr and Jerry Haag
Fire Support Unit Responding: FS-4

A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at this link: Woman Hurt In Fire

February 6, 2009 -- 2nd-Alarm Response for Sunnyvale Fire

On Friday morning, Feb. 6, at 2:00 A.M., Fire Associates responded to a 2nd-alarm fire in Sunnyvale. The following report was submitted by FASCV responder, Jerry Haag:

Date: 06 Feb. 2009
Time: 0110 Sonitrol dispatch prompted by Len Williams call, 0200 Arrival, 0500 back in quarters
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: Sunnyvale
Location: 875A&B Brookline Drive

Details: Small single story duplex with adjacent covered carport, part of a larger complex of similar buildings. Fire started in the car port, burned into two adjoining single-story units. Both units pretty-well destroyed as were 6 cars in the carport. Engine 3 stretched three 1-3/4" pre-connects and a booster line. Water supply was from a hydrant directly across the street. Unknown number of residents displaced.

SNY Units in attendance:
E-3, T-1, E-30, E-4, R-2, E-1, E-40, E-2, T-2
Responding Members: Haag
Fire Support Unit Responding: FS-4

A news report from the San Jose Mercury News can be viewed at this link: "Fire Destroys Sunnyvale Duplex"