San Jose Firefighters "Leap" into Action at Early Morning House Fire



Photo By Bruce Dembecki

Just before 3:00 a.m. on a cold, wet and windy February Leap Day, San Jose Fire Department responded to reports of a house on fire at 1103 Denise Way. Arriving firefighters were greeted by heavy smoke and flames shooting through the roof, fanned by the heavy winds. The incident was upgraded to a second alarm.

Residents were awakened by the sound of flames on the roof, while the residents in the adjoining unit of the duplex were roused by pounding on their front door. Everyone escaped unharmed, but the building and contents were destroyed.

San Jose Fire called Fire Associates for Rehab support around 4:30 a.m. and Bruce Dembecki responded in Fire Support Unit 2. Bruce was met on scene by George Hoyt and Jerry Haag. Hot coffee was well received by cold and wet fire fighters. Support Unit 2 was released at 6:00 a.m.

• Bruce's images are at:  http://www.yourfiredepartment.org/SJSGalleries/Denise.html
     
• A San Jose Mercury News story wwith video can be read at:  Four People Displaced by Fire

-- Report Submitted By Bruce Dembecki
 

FASCV Responds to 2-Alarm House Fire in San Jose

 
Mid-afternoon, February 28, FASCV member John Whiteside was at San Jose Fire Station 35 putting away rehab supplies and setting up a GPS unit in Fire Support Unit 3, which is housed there. About 1510 hours, San Jose dispatched a full first alarm (3 engines, 2 trucks, 2 BCs and Med 30) to a house fire in the northeast section of town. First arriving units reported heavy black smoke from a triplex, single-family house at 1793 Commodore Drive, cross street of Cape Jasmine Place. A fire attack was initiated but soon the fire became defensive, fought with master streams from the elevated ladders. A 2nd alarm was requested bringing additional engines, truck, BC, and the breathing support unit.

John remained at Station 35 monitoring the radio and from the reports he sensed, even though it had not gone to a 3rd alarm, the usual trigger for Fire Associates dispatch, we would be requested due to the extent of the operation.

At approximately 1620 hours, John heard radio discussion between Med 30 and the Incident Commander on the need for Fire Associates, and then the request for Dispatch to notify us. John immediately replied via radio to acknowledge the request and initiate a response. About 1630, he departed Station 35 in FSU 3. After arriving on scene and setting up near Rehab, he was soon joined by George Hoyt, Jerry Haag, and Mike Chappell. Later, Jerry and George picked up food for 30+ fire personnel, and after supporting the meal process, FSU 3 was released. John got home around 2120 hours. The Red Cross assisted the displaced occupants.

• An ABC7 news story and photo is at:  Firefighters Injued in House Fire
   
• A KTVU 2 news story and photo is at:  Fire Contained in San Jose

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside
 

4-Alarm Apartment Fire Keeps Mountain View Firefighters Busy

  

 Date and Time: 02-27-2012, 1553 hours
Agency: Mountain View
Incident Address: 200 East Dana St., Mountain View
Type: 4th alarm.

Details: Large multi-building, two-story, multi-unit apartment complex. Fire in the roof space. Two elevated streams and numerous hand lines and ground lines employed. Three engines pumping. Building will be repairable. Numerous persons displaced.

Responders:
MTV: E-1, 2, 3, 4, 5; T-1; R-1; IC-Batt. 18 (Del Carlo)
SNY: E- 3; T-1; Batt. 30
MOF: E-5
SNC: T-8
CNT: E-15, 16; Batt. 14
PAF: E-5 (Station Fill); T-6; R-1 w/BS-1; Batt. 6
County Medic 16

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 2130 hours.
Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver), Jerry Haag, Dan Wong, Ron Green, George Hoyt, Bruce Dembecki, Larry Carr, Janice Carr (guest) and Walter Huber (guest)

At 3:26 p.m. on Monday, February 27th, the Mountain View Fire Department was dispatched to reports of a building on fire at 200 E. Dana Street. Upon arrival firefighters found flames coming from the second story of a large apartment complex. Firefighters quickly initiated a fire attack and rescue operation. A second, third, and fourth alarm were quickly called as firefighters worked to suppress the fire and bring it under control. Mutual aid was provided during this incident by County Fire, Palo Alto Fire Department, Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, Moffett Fire Department and the Santa Clara Fire Department. These departments along with the Mountain View Fire Department provided a total of 9 engines, 3 trucks, 2 rescue units, 4 Battalion Chiefs, and 4 Chief Officers. The Mountain View Police Department as well as the Santa Clara County Fire Associates also provided support throughout the incident.

On Monday night, 26 units in the complex were uninhabitable. The Red Cross, with the assistance of the Mountain View Whisman School District, opened a temporary emergency shelter at Landels Elementary School to assess the basic needs of the residents.

Fire Associates responded to the second alarm call out at 3:53 and Bob Gundrum brought Fire Support Unit 1 to the scene a few minutes later. Throughout the evening Bob was joined by FASCV members Jerry Haag, Larry Carr, Dan Wong, Ron Green, Bruce Dembecki and George Hoyt. Also on scene with Fire Associates was FASCV guests Janice Carr and Walter Huber.

By early evening it was clear we were in for a long night, and Bruce Dembecki was dispatched to collect meals for the large team of first responders on the scene. Dinner was served around 7:30, and both hot and cold drinks went fast as hard working fire fighters took a few minutes here and there to recover from their exertion. With crews fed and the situation calmed down to a quiet roar, Fire Support Unit 1 and the FASCV crew was released at 9:30 p.m.

• Bruce's photos are at: Apartment Fire
   
• A San Jose Mercury News Penninsula edition story can be read at: Large Apartment Fire
   
• An ABC-7 news story is at:  Mountain View Apartment Fire

   
-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag and Bruce Dembecki
  

Fire Associates Responds to 2-Alarm Blaze in Sunnyvale

 

Photo By David Thompson

Date and Time: Feb. 23, 2012, 0115 hours
Incident Address: 777 Duncardine Way, Sunnyvale
Agency: Sunnyvale
Type: 2nd alarm
Details: Single-story, Eichler-style house.

Responders:

• SNY: E-1, 2, 3, 4, 30, 40; R-2; T-1, 2; XSC Medic 15; IC-Batt. 2 (Plecque)
• SJS: A-31
• SNC: Station Fill
• MTV: Station Fill

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 0400 hours.
Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver), Jerry Haag, Dan Wong, Ron Green and Walter Huber (guest)

First arriving company, Engine 4, found a fire in an advanced stage of development and reports of possible persons still inside and exposures on B and D sides with electrical cable hazards. Engine 40 provided the large diameter water supply to Engine 4 while Truck 2 came in and readied an elevated stream. Engine 4 ultimately deployed two 1-3/4" and two 2-1/2" attack lines and also a large-diameter supply line to Truck 2. Engine 30 deployed another attack line from the parallel street to the North (Devonshire Way). Subsequently, it was learned that the four occupants of the house were out of the country on vacation.

• A KTVU.com news story can be read at:  Family Loses Home to Fire
   
• David Thompson's photos are at:  Sunnyvale Fire

-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag

2-Alarm Fire In San Jose Tattoo Parlor

  

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

At 5:38 A.M., on Monday February 20, the San Jose Fire Department requested Fire Associates' assistance at a second-alarm commercial building fire. Located at 1050 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose, a fire had started in a second-story tattoo studio and had spread to the attic. Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 5:00 A.M. and reported flames shooting out of windows on the second floor, and immediately requested a second alarm.
    
Firefighters were able to quickly contain the blaze and prevent fire damage to the businesses on the ground floor, although there was some water damage. 
  
John Whiteside responded to the call with Fire Support Unit 3 from San Jose Fire Station 35 and was met on scene by Fire Associates members Bruce Dembecki, George Hoyt, Jerry Haag, Mike Chappell and Dan Wong. At this early morning fire, coffee was a firefighter favorite.

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  San Jose Tattoo Parlor Fire
     
• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Tattoo Parlor Damaged    

-- Report Submitted by Bruce Dembecki
  

Multiple Alarm Fire at Kelly Park Requires Fire Associates Assistance

  

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Date: February 16, 2012

Time of Dispatch: 8:44 A.M.

Agency: San Jose

Alarm Level: 3 Alarms

Address: 1300 Senter Rd., Kelly Park

FSU Responding: FSU-2

Driver/FASCV Members: Whitaker (driver), Hoyt, Wong, Green, Chappell
 

A quiet Wednesday morning was suddenly made more interesting when a fire broke out in The Kelly House in San Jose's Kelly Park. John Whitaker actually received word of the call using the new SJFD-sponsored PulsePoint emergency "App" on his iPhone. Introduced at a press conference on February 14, the new app allows smartphone users to be alerted to emergency incidents in San Jose. (Interesting side note: The alert was received by the app even before the first radio dispatch. Now that's speedy!)
   
The first-arriving firefighters reported the "alpha" side of the structure was fully involved and announced "this would be a defensive fire." A second alarm was quickly called and John took the initiative to call SJFD radio dispatch. He asked if the Kelly IC would like a Fire Associates response and the quick reply was, "Affirmative".
   
John responded in Fire Support Unit 2 and was joined on scene by George Hoyt, Ron Green, Dan Wong and Mike Chappell. As directed by Med30, Rob Brown, Rehab was set up in a picnic area near the IC. The picnic tables, trash cans and shade made for a very efficient Rehab operation. Coffee was made by the pot full and Clif Bars and Gatorade were also in demand. By noon time, hungry crews were fed with burritos and more beverages.
 
Unfortunately, the structure appeared to be heavily damaged. The Kelley House was built in 1912 and originally belonged to one of San Jose's pioneer families. Although historic, the 5,600-square-foot two-story Victorian has been vacant for years.

• John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at: Kelly Park Structure Fire 
    
• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Fire Damages Kelley House
   
• Raw video from KTVU.com can be viewed at:  Blaze At Historic Home