San Jose Fire Dept. Responds to Mobile Home Fire

 

On May 31, in San Jose, the fire call came in shortly after 1100. A double-wide mobile home at 1373 Sunbeam Circle (cross of Sunshade Lane) was on fire. Engine 16 was in the area of Story and King and subsequently reported, “Smoke showing!"  The address, in a mobile home park, backed up against the high sound wall of the Story Road/Hwy 101 intersection.

The alarm level was a full-first, plus special call units. FASCV member, John Whiteside, was monitoring the call and the Safety Officer soon suggested Fire Associates be dispatched due to the amount of overhaul (and I assume being near lunch time). Whiteside then notified our answering service that he would take FSU-3 and to put out the page once San Jose requested us with the correct address.  

The San Jose Fire Dept. ordered and picked up 45 lunches and we supported with tables, benches, Clif Bars and drinks. FSU-3 departed Station 35 at 1133 and arrived back at 1440.

There were at least 3 AMR rig requests; for a fire fighter, a Red Cross rep with breathing problems, and stand-by. Along with with John Whiteside were FASCV members Bruce Dembecki, George Hoyt, Dan Wong and Mike Chappell.

  

-- Submitted by John Whiteside

  

Milpitas Calls for FASCV Response to 2-Alarm Fire

Date: 30 May 2011, 2107 hours
Agency: Milpitas
Incident Address: 27 East Carlo Street at Main St.
Type: Second alarm.
Details: Mr. P's Mini Mart; small, single-story, concrete block and frame roof commercial occupancy. Fire into the ceiling space on arrival of first engine. Once main body of fire was located, extinguishment proceeded quickly.

Units in attendance:
MLP E-201. 2, 3, 7, 9, 17; USAR-1; T-1, 4; Batt. 19. IC was Chief Frawley. 

Fremont provided station coverage.
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1, released at 1130 hours.
Responders:  Jerry Haag (driver), Bob Gundrum, Ron Green,  Bruce Dembecki and Dan Wong

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at: Mini-Mart Fire

-- Submitted by Jerry Haag

   

FASCV Responds to 2nd Alarm Fire in San Jose

  

On May 24, San Jose Fire Dept. received a call shortly after 1700 for a house fire at 2044 Junewood Avenue, cross street of Capewood Lane, in Engine 23’s area. This address is just off Morrill in Northeast San Jose. A quick Second Alarm was called upon arrival at the single-family, single-story residence. The house was so badly damaged that fencing had to be installed around the perimeter.

The Incident Commander, Batt 2, requested Fire Associates and FSU #2, driven by John Whiteside, responded and was met on scene by Bruce Dembecki and George Hoyt. Meals were picked up and served by Fire Associates and we were released about 2040.

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  Junewood Incident

-- Submitted by John Whiteside

 

County Fire Battles 2-alarm House Fire

   
On a cool, late Spring morning, Santa Clara County Fire responded to a 2-alarm structure fire.  Responding to a page for assistance, Jerry Haag took Fire Support Unit 1 to 873 Rose Blossom Dr. in Cupertino. Jerry has submitted the following report:

Date: 23 May 2011, 0902 hours
Agency: County Fire
Incident Address: 873 Rose Blossom Dr., Cupertino
Type: Second alarm.

Details: Single-story, frame dwelling with wood shingle roof, about 1400 sq. ft. Fire in vicinity of garage well developed on arrival of first engine. Quickly spread to roof and started spreading burning embers throughout the neighborhood. Major damage to structure of origin, nearby exposure dwelling on "D" side was saved with minor damage. Units were sent to a roof fire a block away.

Units in attendance:
CNT: E-1. 2, 3, 7, 9, 17; R-3, 17; T-1, 5; HM-2; Batt. 2, 3, 14. IC was Batt. Chief Pisciotta
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1, released at 1400 hours.
Responders:  Jerry Haag (driver), George Hoyt, Ron Green, Bruce Dembecki and Don Gilbert 

• Bruce's photos are at:  Rose Blossom

   

Fire Associates Receives Optimists' Award

 

Since 1997, the Optimist Club of Santa Clara has taken time each year to recognize public safety officers and fire personnel for the role they play in keeping the community safe. This year's "Respect for Law & Firefighters" ceremony was held on Thursday, May 19, in the City of Santa Clara's Council Chambers. During the evening, the Optimist Club honored members of both the Police and Fire department as well as members of the community.

Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley was honored to receive the Optimist Club Distinguished Service Award. Although the award acknowledged the dedication and contributions of the entire organization, FASCV President Bob Gundrum was singled out for his 41 years of service to the City of Santa Clara. It was pointed out that Bob's very first response for the group was to an emergency in Santa Clara. The award was presented by Santa Clara City Fire Chief, Phil Kleinheinz.
   

Milpitas Responds to 2-Alarm Structure Fire

Photos By Jerry Haag

Shortly before noon on Wednesday, May 18, Milpitas Fire called a mutual aid response for a structure fire burning on the north end of their city. Jerry Haag responded in Fire Support Unit 1 and was joined by Bob Gundrum and George Hoyt. Jerry has submitted this brief report:

Date:  18 May 2011, 1127 hours
Agency: Milpitas
Incident Address: 1837 Sunnyhills Dr. 
Type: Second alarm.  
Details: Two-story, fourplex.
 
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1, released at 1445 hours
Responders:  Jerry Haag (driver), Bob Gundrum, George Hoyt

    

3-Alarm Commercial Fire in Santa Clara

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

At 9:16 P.M., on Monday, May 16, Santa Clara City Fire Department called for Fire Associates' assistance at a 3rd alarm structure fire. Located at 550 Nuttman Street, the fire was burning in a commercial property. FASCV President, Bob Gundrum,  responded in Fire Support Unit 1. He was joined by Jerry Haag, Bruce Dembecki, George Hoyt, Larry Carr and Mike Chappell. Jerry has submitted the following report:

Date: 16 May 2011, 2117 hours  
Agency: Santa Clara City  
Incident Address: 550 Nuttman Street  
Type: Third alarm. Large, single-story, tilt-up, industrial building.  
Details: Fire in roof. Third alarm units quickly released.

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1, released at 2215 hours 
Responders: Gundrum (driver), Haag, Dembecki, Hoyt, Carr, Chappell

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Nuttman Fire

    

Cal Fire Asks for FASCV Help at Vegetation Fire

    

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

On Sunday, May 1, Cal Fire fought a 10-acre brush fire west of Morgan Hill. The fire was located near the shooting range at the end of Manfre Road, off San Bruno Ave. near Santa Teresa Blvd. and Hale Ave.

 
Around 12:30 P.M., the IC requested Rehab and John Whiteside was contacted via amateur radio by FASCV member, Mike Chappell. Fire Associates was believed to be the fastest response, so member notification was started at 12:46 P.M. Fire Support Unit #3, with John Whiteside driving, responded. John was joined by Bruce Dembecki, George Hoyt and Mike Chappell. The fire was on a very steep hillside. FASCV members picked up 100 burritos and served drinks.

There were 7 engines at the scene (incl.: County and Gilroy with San Jose doing station coverage), 1 water tender, 1 dozer from Belmont, 3 hand crews and the nearest copter (404 from Columbia, but had mechanical problems and never arrived). FASCV was released around 1800. It all looked very green but it still burned!!

• Bruce's Photos can be viewed at:  Morgan Hill Brush Fire
  

-- Report Submitted By John Whiteside