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
