June 6, 2009 -- Response into North Morgan Hill Area

John Whiteside checks in with the following report:

Fire Associates was paged at about 17:35 Saturday, June 6, to a house and barn fire at 514 Dougherty at Madrone, north of Morgan Hill. It was South County’s fire, but due to the size, San Jose, Santa Clara County, Gilroy and CalFire were also dispatched. Don and I counted 25 rigs, including the Helitender, 4 WTs, Hazmat (ammo and chemicals), Breathing Support 2, PLUS dozer 1640 and Copter 901 (106 currently in Sacto for 100-hour maint.).

Don Gilbert and John Whiteside responded in Support Unit 2 at about 17:45. Mike Chappell and John Whitseside picked up 75 burritos, loaded 13 cases of water, additional foam, and some Gatorade for FASCV. Mike was "on the clock" as Cal Fire Logistics.

We were asked about 22:00 if we could support P1624 (Arson) with lights for his investigation. We agreed and the two rigs stayed until 01:13, when we left. He remained until daylight to resume. While there, at his request, we “laid a line”, even though it was garden hose, from Unit #2 to put out a small fire in a destroyed RV that had rekindled. There was no other rig on scene with water. So, maybe we should rename our unit as Support/Light Unit/Patrol 2?

From the dispatching, Don and I concluded it should be considered a 4^th alarm, at a minimum. The IC initially said he had 5 structures involved. The place was like an auto junk yard!! Only residence destroyed was the RV, no houses.

San Jose Mercury-News photos here: Morgan Hill Fire

Morgan Hill Times news story at this link: Ranch Fire

June 9, 2009 -- 3-Alarm Response for Mountain View Fire

The following report was made by FASCV responder, Jerry Haag:

Date: 09 June 2009
Time: 1032 Sonitrol dispatch, 1100 left SNC Station 9, 1125 Arrival, 1445 back in quarters
Type: Structure fire
Size: Third alarm
Jurisdiction: Mountain View
Location: 55 Gladys Ave. (correction from 47 Gladys dispatched by Sonitrol

Details: Small, single-story, four-plex condo with adjacent covered carport, part of a larger complex of similar buildings. Fire started in the carport, burned into front unit. Serious exposures to units on B and C sides. Front unit pretty-well destroyed as was car in the carport (place of origin). Engine 4, first-in, stretched three 1-3/4" pre-connects and a booster line. Water supply was from a hydrant directly in front of the complex. Three residents displaced, units on B and C sides were saved.

Units in attendance:
MTV
E-1,2,3,4,5, T-1, R-1, Batt. 18
CNT
E-2, 116 (running as 16), T-4, Batt. 3
PAF
R-2, BS-2, Batt. 6
Station fills by MOF and SNY

Responding Members: Haag (driver), Williams (first-in), Gundrum (assisted restock in quarters). Guest: Mike Jenson
Fire Support Unit Responding: FS-1
Remarks: No problems with rig. First deployment of the rehab bench--much appreciated by firefighters.

Mountain View Voice news story at this link: Home Destroyed