Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Fire Associates Called to San Jose Blaze

    
Tuesday, June 30, was a 100+F degree afternoon in San Jose when shortly after 1700 San Jose Fire dispatched a full first alarm to Trafalgar Place. Located near Piedmont Road, it was reported to be a home stove fire. Later, a second alarm and Fire Associates were requested.
 
John Whiteside heard the request and contacted Don Gilbert and the agreed to meet at SJS Station 6 to drive FSU-2. The support unit went enroute at 1830 with plenty of drinks and ice.
 
Upon arrival, John was asked to pick up 10 burritos for the crews remaining on scene. So, the equipment needed for Rehab was taken off FSU-2 before he left to get the food. From the quantity of empty plastic water and Gatorade bottles on scene, much liquid was consumed.
 
After being on scene for over an hour, FSU-2 was released to quarters.
 
-- Report submitted by John Whiteside

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

San Jose Firefighters Attack Vegetation and Structure Fires at Same Incident

   
Photo By John Whitaker
Date:  June 23, 2015; 5:58 P.M.
Agency:  San Jose Fire
Type:  Tier 2, plus an additional Structure Response
   
Details:  Firefighters responded to this vegetation fire located in Coyote Creek behind the Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church. The Incident Command Center was set up in the large parking lot between the church and the creek bed. Shortly after the first fire units arrived, a fire was reported burning on the roof of a house located near the creek at the end of Paseo Estero Drive and New Street. The IC quickly called for a separate structure response and a an upgrade of the vegetation fire to a Tier 2. This brought Fire Support Unit 2 with Don Gilbert driving and John Whiteside as a passenger. Meeting them on scene was FASCV member John Whitaker who had arrived to scout out a location for Rehab. They were later joined by FASCV member Dan Wong. As the effort was winding down, an order was put in for 35 burritos who were tired and hungry, having not eaten before the call came in. John Whitaker left to pick up the order from a nearby taqueria and returned with 35 chicken and steak burritos along with chips and salsa. Appetites were soon taken care of! FSU-2 was released from the incident at approximately 8:30 P.M.
   
FASCV Responding Unit:  FSU-2 (Gilbert and Whiteside
FASCV Responders:  John Whitaker Dan Wong
-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Vegetation Fire Burns In Los Altos Hills

   
Photo By Michael Garcia
Date:  June 14, 2015; 5:48 P.M.
Agency:  Santa Clara County Fire
Type:  2-Alarm
Location:  Near intersection of Foothill Expressway and I-280
   
Details:  Fire Support Units 1 and 4 responded to staging at the intersection of Arboretum and Grant Rd. for a vegetation fire near Foothill Expressway and I-280. Support Unit 4 arrived first and was directed by the IC to set up Rehab in the parking lot of the Lucky's store on Foothill Expressway in Los Altos. FSU-1 joined Support Unit 4 in the parking lot. 
   
Responding Apparatus:  E71, E74, E75, E76, E77, R74, B72, B74, E374, Medic 14, Cal Fire Engines 1768 and 1663.
   
FASCV Responding Units:  FSU-1 (Garcia) and FSU-4 (Carr)
FASCV Responders:  Dan Wong and Ken Needham (guest)
   
-- Report submitted by Larry Carr

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Santa Clara County Firefighters Respond to 2-Alarm House Fire

    
Photo By Mike Garcia
Date:  06-02-2015, 3:42 A.M.
Agency:  Santa Clara County Fire
Type:  2-Alarm
Location:  18081 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd., Monte Sereno

Details: After responding to at least 14 calls for rehab assistance in the month of May, it only took two days before Fire Associates got their first call in June. This time, a large, two-story home of rather old age was burning in Monte Sereno. The fire started in a second floor bedroom. Five occupants were outside upon arrival of Engine 83. As attack lines were being laid, the fire vented from the roof and decision was made to go defensive. IC requested a second alarm at this time. Engine 82 laid a supply line to Engine 83 which ended up pumping two 1-3/4” and three 2-1/2” hand lines. Fire Support Unit 1 arrived at about 0415 and was released from the scene at 0615 hours.
   
Agency Responders:
CNT: E-73, 78, 80, 82, 83; T-85; R-73, 83; HM-72; BS-72; Batt-72, 83 (B/C Lollie-IC)
     
Support Unit:  FSU-1 (Mike Garcia)
FASCV Responders:  Jerry Haag
-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag and Mike Garcia