San Jose Firefighters Tackle Tier 2 Vegetation Fire

   

Photo By Craig Allyn Rose

In one of our earlier posts, dated May 20, the opening statement may have been in error. We forgot that there are actually 4 things that are certain in life:  1) you're born, 2) you die, 3) there will be a vegetation fire on Communications Hill, AND... 4) every fire season, Fire Associates will go to a grass fire on Remillard Court!

  

So, just like clockwork, on Thursday, May 21, in the early afternoon, FASCV was paged by the San Jose Fire Department to a grass fire on Remillard Ct. near its intersection with Story Rd. Grass and light vegetation was burning along the creek bed between Coyote Creek and the old Southern Pacific right-of-way. A Tier 2 response was eventually called as a fire in that location has the potential to spread to adjoining land.

  

Fire Associates responded with Fire Support Unit 2 with John Whitaker driving. He was met on scene by FASCV member Mike Garcia and the 2 of them drove up to the Command position on a bluff overlooking the fireground. Also on the ridge was Engine 13 and Water Tender 13.

   

But, as with most vegetation fires, the hard-working crews were down below trying to contain the blaze. With most of the wildfire in check, by this time, the crews were mainly spread out concentrating on hitting the hot spots. Because of this, Remillard IC, Rob Brown, saw no real need for any real rehab effort on the part of FASCV.

   

So, FSU-2 stayed on scene providing water and Gatorade to the Station 13 crew and then made sure all the crews had their hydration needs met as John and Mike left the area.

• Mike and John's combined photos can be viewed at:  Remillard Ct.
     
• Craig Allyn Rose's photos can be viewed at:  Vegetation Fire
    
• Craig's video of the incident can be viewed at:  Remillard Ct. Video

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

Toxic Chemicals Challenge San Jose Firefighters at Metal Plating Company Blaze

    

Photo By John Whitaker

In the past few months, San Jose firefighters have responded to a spate of multi-alarm commercial fires all within a two-mile radius. Although not connected, the fires have all proved to be a challenge.

    

This time, at 12:27 A.M. on Tuesday morning May 19, a caller reported a fire burning in an industrial complex just off Zanker Road near Highway 101. First-arriving crews discovered the blaze burning at Haro's Metal Finishing, Inc. located at 439 Reynolds Circle.

     

Because of the type of business, efforts to extinguish the fire proved to be difficult. Metal finishing involves lots of toxic chemicals, including cyanide and sulfuric acid. So, the command staff on scene not only had to concentrate on putting out the fire, but they also had to deal with the very toxic water run-off. Eventually, a 4th alarm was called as firefighters had to rotate through decon before they could be rehabbed. The Santa Clara County Hazmat unit joined with San Jose's Hazmat to handle the decontamination of personnel, equipment, hoses, and fire apparatus. Needless to say, it was a mess!

   

When Fire Associates was summoned to the scene on the 3rd alarm, John Whitaker responded with Fire Support Unit 2 at approximately 12:50 A.M. Upon arrival, the FSU was kept in Staging until the chemical danger had diminished. After approximately 2 hours being held at bay, a rehab area was set up adjacent to the decon location and firefighters were finally able to enjoy some cold drinks and 3 dozen donuts on a chilly and overcast early morning. John was joined on scene by FASCV member Mike Garcia.

   

The support unit was kept on site until 4:45 A.M. when it was released to return to service.

• A KRON TV4 news report video can be viewed at:  Hazmat Fire
    
• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Firefighters Battle Blaze

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

San Jose Firefighters Respond to Communications Hill for Vegetation Fire

     

Photo By John Whitaker

Three things in life are certain:  1) you're born, 2) you die, and 3) there will be a vegetation fire every year on Communications Hill.

   

At 9:51 PM on Sunday, May 17, Fire Associates members were paged to assist San Jose firefighters as a fire was quickly spreading through the very dry vegetation on Communications Hill. The fire was burning at the end of Communications Hill Blvd., near its intersection with Monte Vista Drive. 

    

Engine 26 firefighters were the first to arrive and found a grass fire quickly spreading through the tall vegetation. It was not long before a Tier 2 level fire was declared. Fortunately, Sunday was the first day of activation for the department's brush patrol units and they were quickly put to work. Their quick work was able to hold the blaze to an estimated 5 acres.

    

John Whiteside responded for Fire Associates, bringing Fire Support Unit 2 to the scene. He was met at the fire by FASCV members Mike Garcia, John Whitaker, and Ken Needham (guest). Cold water, Gatorade, and Clif Bars were provided to all the fire crews as they returned off the hill to the Command Center. They were all very tired as the firefighting effort on steep terrain in the dark proved to be very exhausting.

   

After most of these crews were served, the IC asked FASCV members if they could relocate to the Chateau La Salle mobile home park to provide rehab service for the three engine companies who had been dispatched to that location for structure protection. After leaving a couple of cases of drinks and Clif Bars with the IC, FSU-2 was quickly packed up and moved to the new location at the head of the fire. Fire crews there were very grateful for the help as they had not only been providing protection for half a dozen mobile homes, but had also been on the hill stopping the fire's spread.

   

At approximately 12:30AM, FSU-2 was released from service and returned to quarters.
  
The first fire on Communications Hill was under control, but sometime during the summer, we'll be back -- that's for certain!

• Photos by Chris Smead can be seen at:  Communications Hill Fire

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

Santa Clara City Firefighters Make A Good Stop On Condo Fire

   

Photo By Craig Allyn Rose

Date and Time: May 11, 2015, 0025 hours
Agency: Santa Clara City Fire
Incident Address: 936 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara
Type: Third Alarm
  
Details:

Large multi-building, multi-unit two-story over parking frame condo complex (Woodsborough Condos). Closely built large buildings complicated access for firefighting and exposure protection. Firefighters made an aggressive attack on a well-developed fire in the upper floor and made a stop before the fire was able to run the attic space. IC stated, “This one could have been a whole lot worse." Two trapped occupants were rescued through windows. Fire Support Unit 1 was released from the scene at 0330 hours.
   
Agency Responders:
SNC: E-91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99; T-92, 98; HM-99; Batt-92 (Dellamaggiora-IC); 9A1.
SJS & SNY: Responded for station coverage.
  
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1.
FASCV Responders: Mike Garcia (driver) and Jerry Haag.

• Craig Allyn Rose's photos can be viewed at:  Santa Clara Condo Fire
    
• Mike Garcia's photos can be viewed at:  Kiely Condos

-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag

Victorian House Burns in Downtown San Jose On Mother's Day

    

Photo By Craig Allyn Rose

Mother’s Day is supposed to be a day of rest and relaxation for family members as they celebrate their mom. But the day got off to a busier-than-usual start for two members of the Fire Associates “family”.

   

Shortly before 3:00 A.M., FASCV members Bruce Dembecki and John Whitaker responded into downtown San Jose to provide rehab support at a 3-alarm blaze. Located at 727 S. 2nd Street, firefighters found flames rolling out of the rear of a single-story, Victorian-era residence. With an empty lot on the “Bravo” side and an alleyway on the “Charlie” side, firefighters concentrated on the structure of origin and another Victorian home located on the “Delta” exposure.

   

Photo By John Whitaker

John Whitaker arrived on scene before the Support Unit, so he contacted the IC to find out if a rehab location had been established. It hadn’t, so John set about to find a good location. By the time Bruce Dembecki arrived with FSU-2, a location had been decided upon and the two FASCV members set out 2-dozen donuts and began making pots of coffee. 

   

Yes, donuts are back in San Jose!

   

The sight of donuts on the fireground made for a lot of happy faces and rehab became a very busy place.

   

After a couple of hours on scene, FSU-2 was released at approximately 4:45 A.M. and Bruce and John were able to return to their homes to try and get some rest before the real activities of Mother’s Day took over.

• John's photos can be viewed at:  Victorian Fire

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

San Jose Fire Crews Respond to 3-Alarm Gas Explosion

   

Photo By John Whitaker

Lately, it seems that every time Fire Associates gets a call for rehab assistance, our members are either in a meeting, volunteering for another agency, or involved in some sort of work activity. Thursday night, May 7 was no different.

    
While the majority of FASCV's membership was at Palo Alto Fire's Stanford Station for a monthly membership meeting, the San Jose Fire Department was dispatched to 780 Commercial Street for reports of an explosion and multiple gas canisters on fire. When the news of the blaze reached members via their "PulsePoint" application, John Whitaker kept an ear to his radio just in case the fire went to multiple alarms.

   

First-arriving firefighters found that the explosion had involved Acetylene, Oxygen, and Propane tanks used for welding. The tanks were located on the exterior of large, tilt-up concrete building occupied by "The Lloyd E. Williams Pipe Trades Training Center". In addition to the approximately 24 exterior tanks, the fire slightly penetrated the structure through a skylight, but was kept in check by the building's fire sprinklers. The firefighting operation quickly became a mainly defensive operation with the goal of cooling the tanks while allowing the gas to burn off.

  

With most of the FASCV membership in Palo Alto, John Whiteside had volunteered to stay back in the South County in anticipation of just such a need for assistance. In an example of  "Proper Prior Planning", John's sense of responsibility paid off! 

   

Once the fire went to 3 alarms, John Whiteside left his home for SJFD Station 6 to get Fire Support Unit 2. In the meantime, John Whitaker left the membership meeting and went directly to the fire scene. He made contact with San Jose's Med30 (Capt. Tim Miller on his first night in that assignment) and a location for rehab was scouted out. When FSU-2 arrived, an informal rehab area was set up with lots of hot coffee brewed on a chilly night. When the membership meeting was adjourned, other FASCV members came to the fireground to assist. Those on scene included Bruce Dembecki, Mike Garcia, Bill Roth, and Kenny Needham (guest).

     

Part way through the incident, it was discovered that the SJFD Truck 1 crew had not yet had their dinner. So, 10 burrito dinners were ordered up and Bruce left to do a minimal meal run. Along about 11:30 P.M. the operation became a wait-and-see effort as the gas burned off and the majority of crews (including FSU-2) were released to return to quarters.

•  Craig Allyn Rose's photos can be viewed at:  Pipe Trades Fire    

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

Second Alarm Called in Gilroy for Mobile Home Blaze

    

Photo Courtesy of the Gilroy Fire Department

In the city of Gilroy, Cinco de Mayo is often a day of celebration for many of its residents of Mexican heritage. But on this day, several families did not have much reason to celebrate.

   

At approximately 9:20 A.M., Gilroy Fire received multiple calls of a mobile home on fire in the 500 block of W. 10th St. By the time firefighters arrived, one double-wide unit was fully involved and the fire was beginning to spread to mobile homes on all three exposures. Gilroy Engine 47 took up a position on the "Alpha" side of the fire while Truck 47 responded to an endangered structure on the "Charlie" side of the fireground. Because the fire was rapidly growing, rather than assuming their normal "trucker" activities, the Truck 47 crew immediately began firefighting duties by attacking the fire with their own hand lines and raising the "stick" for a possible aerial assault.

   

It was not long before a second alarm was called which brought additional fire units from Morgan Hill, South County Fire District, and Cal Fire. It also brought a request for Fire Associates assistance with rehab. As luck would have it, FASCV South County responders Bill Roth and John Whiteside were miles away atop Copernicus Peak preparing the Cal Fire lookout for the upcoming fire season. In addition, FASCV President Bruce Dembecki was unavailable at work, Don Gilbert was unavailable as he recovers from recent surgery, and John Whitaker was attending a San Jose Fire Museum Board meeting. Of these five FASCV members, John Whitaker was the most available, so he volunteered to respond in Fire Support Unit 2.

Photo By John Whitaker

   
Once on scene, John was met by Gilroy Fire Department Chief Alan Anderson. A rehab site was selected and John commenced to set up serving tables, portable benches, assorted Clif bars, and several ice chests stocked with cold Gatorade and water. Fifty sandwiches had already been ordered from Subway and John awaited their arrival. Four boxes of sandwiches and chips soon arrived and they were quickly set upon by hungry and tired firefighters.

    

John remained on scene staffing rehab until all but the last few fire crews had been released. At approximately 1:30 P.M., FSU-2 was released and John began the 35-minute drive back to San Jose Fire Station 6.

• John's photos can be viewed at:  Mobile Home Fire
    
• A Gilroy Dispatch news article can be read at:  Gilroy Fire

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

Fire Support Unit 1 Responds to Mountain View Blaze

Photo By Mike Garcia

  
Date and Time: April 23, 2015, 3:03 A.M.
Agency: Mountain View Fire
Incident Address: 728 Lola Lane, Mountain View
Type: Full First Alarm
 
Details: 

Small, single-story, single-family frame dwelling. Fire was showing at the back of the building upon arrival of first-due Engine 52. Initial size-up revealed fire in the back room of the house already vented and involving a large eucalyptus tree. Engine 52 made an attack with a 1-3/4-inch line and Engine 51, which arrived second-due, stretched a large-diameter supply line to Engine 52 from a hydrant about 150’ away, then took another line off Engine 52. Ultimately, Engine 52 pumped four lines. Initial attack was offensive and took into account the report of an occupant in the building. Once the victim was found to be expired, the attack shifted to defensive. Exploding ammunition and a report of gun powder in the building made things even more exciting for a while. Jerry Haag was monitoring the initial radio report and got up and went to the scene with bottled water in his POV anticipating that the hard-working crews would need at least that much Rehab. Once arrived, he consulted with the IC about the need for more extensive rehab. The Chief agreed and Jerry phoned Mike Garcia with a request that he roll Unit 1. Unit 1 arrived in about 30 minutes and Dan Wong later arrived with donuts, which got a good reception from the firefighters and a chuckle from Deputy Chief Juan Diaz. Unit 1 was released from the scene at 0600 hours.
 
Agency Responders:
MTV: E-51, 52, 53, 54; T-51; R-51; Batt-51 (Custodio-IC); 18A3
PAF: T-66; Batt-66 

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1.
FASCV Responders: Mike Garcia (driver), Jerry Haag, and Dan Wong.

• Mike's photos can be viewed at:  Mountain View Fire

-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag

Saratoga Building Rendered Uninhabitable After 3-Alarm Blaze

   

Photo by Bruce Dembecki

Date and Time:  April 19, 2015, 1016 hours
Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 20810 4th St., Saratoga
Type: Three Alarms
 
Details: Two-story, four-unit residential building in a fairly large complex. Restricted access, and proximity of nearby exposed building and trees presented a challenge to arriving units. E-73 was first–in. E-78 laid a long 5-in. water supply line to E-73 and took off the second attack line while T-71 opened the roof. E-73 ended up serving one 2-1/2-in. and two 1-3/4-in. lines.  The fire, which originated in a second-floor unit, ultimately involved the roof space. Building will not be habitable for quite some time. There was no damage to exposures or trees.
 
Agency Responders:
SNC: E-71, 72, 73, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82; T-71, 74, 85; R-73, 83; HM-72; Batts-72, 73, 83 (Falarski-IC)
SJS: T-14 (cancelled en route)
 
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Arrived: 1100; Released 1300.
FASCV Responders: Bruce Dembecki, Mike Garcia (driver), Jerry Haag, Dan  Wong, and Quinn Dembecki (guest).

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Saratoga Blaze

-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag

Fire Associates Called for Service 3 Times in 24 Hours

   

Most people know that California is experiencing a near-record drought. But what you may not know is that Fire Associates is also going through its own drought -- all-be-it of a different kind.

   

Through the end of March, Fire Associates has only responded to 8 calls for service -- compared to 31 calls for service at this time last year!

   

Well, FASCV's "dry spell" was broken during the 24 hours of April 15-16.

   
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015
SAN JOSE FIRE CALLS FOR FASCV ASSISTANCE AT VEGETATION FIRE
    

Photo By John Whitaker

On Wednesday, April 15, the San Jose Fire Department responded to a vegetation fire at 2039 Flintcrest Dr. on the City's east side.The original call came in from the San Jose Police Department's "Air 2" helicopter. During routine patrol, they spotted bushes burning to the south of Flintcrest Drive.

    

Within minutes of the initial report, the fire spread to an adjacent fence and the roof of a house on Flintcrest Dr. Not helping matters -- the house had a wood shake roof! From there, the fire spread along the fence line to another house where the fence fire caught a backyard shed on fire.

   

It did not take long for a full-first alarm to be called. With Air 2 providing continual updates of hot spots, firefighters were to work attacking both the vegetation fire and the structure fire. The vegetation was part of what had once been Mt. Pleasant Golf Course. The golf course had long since been abandoned with the vegetation overgrowth being somewhat controlled by a herd of grazing cows.

   

On a warm Spring afternoon, it wasn't too long before a 2nd and a 3rd alarm were called. With the 3rd alarm, FASCV members were summoned for Rehab assistance. John Whiteside responded to the call with Fire Support Unit 3. While he was getting the rig ready to roll, John Whitaker went directly to the scene to scout out a location for Rehab. Once FSU-3 was on scene, a formal Rehab was set up in the driveway of a nearby home. By this time, FASCV guest Ken Needham had arrived along with FASCV member Mike Garcia.

   

With the meal hour approaching, and the necessity of a lot of overhaul, John Whitaker coordinated with the IC to get meals ordered. Thirty sandwiches were prepared by Togo's and John went to get them in his personal vehicle, with Ken's help.

• John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at:  Vegetation Fire

    
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015
FASCV PAGED TO GAS EXPLOSION AND RESULTING HOUSE FIRE
     

So, while FSU-3 was set up on Flintcrest Drive, a second call was heard on the emergency radio. A house was reported to be burning near the intersection of McLaughlin Ave. and Interstate 280. Very shortly thereafter, FASCV pagers were activated with a call for assistance. First-arriving firefighters found that a gas explosion had apparently occurred and an interior search resulted in the discovery of an occupant fatality. The location of the incident was 919 Jeanne Ave. in San Jose.
  
While FASCV members started to quickly dismantle the Rehab at the Flintcrest Dr. incident, John Whitaker contacted San Jose Fire Dispatch to get the details of the request for FASCV help. Once the IC was contacted, it was determined that the page to FASCV was premature and FASCV help was not going to be needed on Jeanne Ave.
  
With that news, members continued to shut down Rehab on Flintcrest and FSU-3 returned to service at approximately 7:00 P.M.

       
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015
SAN JOSE COFFEE SHOP FLUE FIRE GOES TO A THIRD ALARM
     

Photo By John Whitaker

As a mid-Spring, Thursday morning was getting off to a start, the San Jose Fire Department received a call for a kitchen fire at a coffee shop on Capital Expressway. This long-established structure is well-known to residents of San Jose who commute to work on the expressway. Originally called "Cindy's", the blaze was located at 222 W. Capital Expressway at what is now known as "Jimmy's Restaurant".

  

Once the full-first, structure alarm was called, responding firefighters reported seeing a "large header" coming from that direction while en route. Smoke was billowing out of the roof upon arrival and firefighters began an interior attack. It was originally thought to be a kitchen fire, but firefighters found little fire in the kitchen area. They then began pulling the ceiling to see if there was an attic fire only to find no flames of any significance in that space, either. Some time during this operation, a second alarm was called by the IC.

  

It was eventually determined that the fire was primarily located in the kitchen flue and had spread to the roof facade that surrounded the air conditioning units. With the roof being comprised of heavy Spanish tiles, there was fear of a collapse into the restaurant. Fire crews were ordered out of the structure and a defensive operation was begun.

  

At that time, a third alarm was struck for additional crews. John Whitaker, who was already en route to a meeting at the San Jose Fire Museum, responded to Station 6 only to find FSU-2 out of service. A quick phone call to John Whiteside was made, and he responded to Station 35 to bring FSU-3. Meanwhile, John Whitaker went to the fire and found new FASCV member Bill Roth already on scene. Eventually, members Len Williams and Mike Garcia also arrived to provide support. An informal rehab area was established and the firefighters were grateful for lots of cold drinks on an already warm day.

  

Here's a funny story: As things were winding down, John Whiteside was talking with BC-2 Patricia Tapia. She was describing the sequence of events as firefighters were trying to find the seat of the blaze. She said that crews entered the kitchen looking for flames and all they found was a pan piled high with breakfast meat. To which John Whiteside replied, "So, you can say that firefighters saved their bacon!" I wish I had thought of that...

• John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at:  Jimmy's Fire
     
• An NBC BayArea news video can be viewed at:  Fire at Jimmy's

 -- All reports submitted by John Whitaker