FASCV Support at Corvette Rally

On Saturday, August 29, Fire Associates provided coffee support at the 2009 National Corvette Caravan kick-off event. Club Auto Sport, 521 Charcotte Ave., was the site of this event for Corvette enthusiasts. The 15th-annual rally will take the participants across the country on a 5-day journey to Bowling Green, Kentucky, the location of the National Corvette Museum.

FASCV got involved when San Jose Fire Museum asked us to help out with their pancake breakfast fund raiser. Because of earlier success at putting on open house events at a display of antique fire equipment, Club Auto Sport offered the event as an opportunity for the Museum and Fire Associates to raise funds. Although the turnout was not as high as had been hoped (the poor economy is suspected as the cause), our group and the Fire Museum were successful in getting good publicity and proving, once again, that we could host events of this type.

Thanks to FASCV members John Whitaker, Bob Gundrum and Ron Green for their early-morning help.

Photos of the event can be seen at: 2009 Corvette Caravan Kick-off

John's low-res video of the rally beginning can be seen at: 2009 Corvette Caravan

August 27, 2009 -- Level 3 Hi-rise Response at SJSU

On Thursday morning, Aug. 27, at 9:02 A.M., Fire Associates was paged for a Level 2 hi-rise fire at the Campus Village dormatories (Bldg. B) at San Jose State University. Located at 355 S. 10th Street, a vintage VW van was burning in the underground garage. Arriving in Support Unit 2 was Don Gilbert who was met on scene by Mike Chappell and John Whitaker.

Building B is a 15-story structure with an underground, 2-level parking garage. It is described on the campus website as: "...the location of the upper division apartments, the Recreation Activities Center (RAC), and the Village Market. It is the centerpiece of the Campus Village and features a 15-story tower. It has one bedroom studios, and 3, 4, 5 bedroom apartments equipped with a kitchen, and living room area."

Initially called a Level 2 incident, it was briefly upgraded to a Level 3 fire by the IC before that call for equipment was canceled. At first, initial responders could not tell what type of fire they were dealing with or how extensive an area was on fire. First-in companies went down to the garage area and were met by heavy, dense black smoke requiring them to make the initial exploration with "tag lines". Once the source of the smoke was determined, fire crews could then decide how to extinguish the inferno.

Support Unit 2 was instructed to set up on the 10th Street side of the building. However, after being set up for awhile at that location, Rehab was eventually relocated in a courtyard area at the rear of the structure. Rehab was demobed at approximately 11:30 A.M.

John's photos can be viewed at: SJS - SJSU Hi-rise Fire

A good news story on the incident can be read at: SJ Merc-News

August 10, 2009 -- Special Call from Santa Clara City Fire

At 3:48 PM on Monday, August 10, Santa Clara Fire put out a call for Fire Associates help. This time, it was not for a fire or a Hazmat situation -- One of Great America's roller coaster rides was stuck and it was going to take hours of effort to get everyone to the ground safely.

Jerry Haag responded in Support Unit 1 and was joined at the amusement park by FASCV members Bob Gundrum and George Hoyt. Jerry has submitted the following report:

Date: 10 August 2009
Time: 1548 Sonitrol dispatch, 1630 arrival, released at 1830.
Type: High-Angle Rescue
Size: Special Call
Jurisdiction: Santa Clara City
Location: 2401 Agnew Road

Details: Rescue from elevated location of 24 patrons of Great America Park, 40 to 80 feet in the air. Two aerial platforms (CNT T-1 and SJS T-29) and one aerial (SNC T-8) were used. Riders were released and brought to the ground individually after having been stranded since 1315. Last one down about 1715.

Units in attendance:
SNC: T-8, E-10, E-6, R-2, T-2, Batt. 1
CNT: R-3, T-1, USAR-5, E-2, BS-2, E-305, T-5, Batt. 2
SJS: T-29, E-5, USAR-5, Tech. Rescue, B-29
Responding Members: Haag (driver), Gundrum, Hoyt
Fire Support Unit Responding: FS-1

Remarks: A difficult situation expertly handled by personnel in attendance. No riders were injured.

A SJ Mercury-News story can be read at: Riders Rescued

Bob Gundrum's photos are at this link: SNC - Great America Rescue

July 28, 2009 -- 2nd-Alarm Response into Los Gatos

It was 1:37 PM on Tuesday, July 28, when Fire Associates was paged by Santa Clara County Fire to a second-alarm inferno. This time (it was our second call in 24 hours) the fire was in Los Gatos and involved one of the city's classic old homes. Located at 15945 Camino del Cerro, on the corner of Blossom Hill Rd., the 2-story home suffered severe damage to the attic and second floor.

Responding to the scene in Support Unit 2 was Don Gilbert who was joined by FASCV members George Hoyt and John Whitaker. Support Unit 2 was quickly on the scene as Don was already in the rig returning a tool to the County Fire Maintenance Shop. Rehab was set up on a side-street just north of the fire to take advantage of some shade on an 80-degree summer afternoon. Lemonade and cold drinks were so in demand that a seperate trip to the store to get more ice was needed.

Built in 1892, knocked off its foundation in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and restored in 1992, this building is on the city's historic landmarks list. With the owner standing by watching, firefighters quickly kept the damage to a minimum under difficult circumstances. The building's steep roof and wrap-around porch, made access to the fire tricky. Also, because of the steepness of the street, it was not possible to safely position a ladder truck for aerial access to the roof.

A very interesting video of the event can be seen at: Fire at Historic Home

John's photos of the event can bee seen at: CNT - Los Gatos House Fire

Los Gatos Observer news story can be read at: 2nd-Alarm Fire in Los Gatos

July 27, 2009 -- Early-morning, 2-Alarm Fire in Saratoga

At 4:18 AM on Monday, July 27, Fire Associates was requested by Santa Clara County Fire. A structure fire was burning at 13179 Shadow Mountain Drive in Saratoga. Responding in Support Unit 1 was FASCV member, Jerry Haag. Jerry was met on scene by John Whitaker. Jerry has submitted the following account of the incident:

Date: 27 July 2009
Time: 0418 Sonitrol dispatch; 0515 arrival; released at 0700.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: County Fire (Saratoga's Area)
Location: 13179 Shadow Mountain Dr., Saratoga

Details: Ranch style, single-story, single-family dwelling. Fire most-likely started in a bedroom then spread to attic space. CNT Engine 17 first in, deployed several 1-3/4 and 1-1/2" lines, provided own 5" water supply line from hydrant across the street. Roof was tough to open due to metal, simulated-tile roof covering - but good stop was made. House is repairable. Three adults were displaced.

Units in attendance:
CNT: E-8, E-9, E-17, T-1, T-5, R-17, P-1, P-5, BS-2, HM-2, Batt. 2, Batt. 14
Responding Members: Jerry Haag (driver), John Whitaker Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1
Remarks: Donut-run made by Whitaker.

John's photos from the event can be viewed at: CNT - Saratoga House Fire

SJ Merc-News story can be read at: 2-Alarm Fire Controlled

July Monthly Meeting Held in Santa Clara

The Fire Associates monthly meeting for July was held at Santa Clara City Fire Department's Station 2. Located at 1900 Walsh Ave., the station features a large training ground, tower and associated classrooms, making it an ideal site for our group meetings.

Our new Support Unit 2 was in attendance for this meeting, as it has for the last several meetings. This is part of our "Thank You Tour" to let all the firefighters in Santa Clara County know how much their donations towards the purchase of the rig were appreciated. The Station 2 crew had a walk-around of the new rig and seemed very impressed with it's capabilities.

Photos from the evening can be viewed at this link: FASCV July Mtg.

July 13, 2009 -- 2nd-alarm Response for SC County Fire

At 4:30 AM on Monday, July 13, Santa Clara County Fire requested Fire Associates' assistance at a 2nd-alarm blaze in Cupertino. Jerry Haag responded and has written this account:

Date: 13 July 2009
Time: 0430 Sonitrol dispatch, 0515 arrival, released at 0900.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: SC County Fire (Cupertino's Area)
Location: 10620 Johansen Ave., Cupertino

Details: Single-story, single-family dwelling. Substantially involved upon arrival of first engine. SJS Engine 15 (first-due, auto-aid) arrived first, deployed two 1-3/4 and one 2-1/2 inch lines. CNT Engine 1, second-due, arrived almost at the same time, dropped a 5" supply line coming in and connected it to Engine 15. Each then stretched an additional 2-1/2 to cover exposures. The house was totally burned out. One elderly X made it out without serious injury. The other victim, a male, did not get out.

Units in attendance:
SJS: E-13
CNT: E-1, E-2, E-7, T-1, T-14, R-17, P-1, BS-2, HM-2, Batt. 2 (B/C Vega) (IC), Batt. 14
Responding FASCV Members: Haag (driver)
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1

Remarks: One firefighter remarked that we are the unit he most likes to see at a fire (other than chopper 106, if it's a grass fire)

A SJ Merc-News story can be read at this link: Paralyzed Veteran Dies In Fire

July 8, 2009 -- 3rd Alarm Response to Mountain View

On Wednesday, July 8, Fire Associates was paged to Mountain View for a third-alarm fire. The following account was submitted by Jerry Haag:

Date: Wed., 08 July 2009
Time: 1010 Sonitrol dispatch, 1030 arrival, released at 1400.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Third alarm
Jurisdiction: Mountain View
Location: 400 Ortega Ave., Mountain View

Details: Three-story apartment building. Fire started on the first floor caused by plumber’s soldering torch. Fire got into vertical, concealed space and spread to third floor and roof space. Engine 1, first-in, took hand-paks to fire location and used the building standpipe. Engine 2, second-due, stretched two 2-1/2" lines to the FDC. Water supply was from a hydrant directly in front of the complex. Sprinklers did not activate because fire was confined to the unsprinklered concealed spaces. Three apartments, vertically stacked, were damaged. Only the apartment on the second floor had a tenant.

Fire units in attendance:
MTV: E-1,2,4,5, T-1, R-1, Batt. 18 (Acting B/C Trammel)
CNT: T-14, Batt. 14 (B/C Vega)
PAF: E-6, E-5, R-2, BS-2, Batt. 6 (B/C Broussard)
MOF: T-6
Overhead Support Team: Canceled enroute, but SJS D/C Dana Reid continued.

Responding FASCV Members: Larry Carr (driver), Jerry Haag; Guest: Bruce Dembecki
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-4
Remarks: Tea cup full of fire -- but hard to get at.
Submitted by: Jerry Haag

Photos by Bruce Dembecki at this link: Ortega Fire Photos

A news article from the Mountain View Voice can be viewed at this link: Ortega Building Evacuated

July 5, 2008 -- 2nd-Alarm Response for San Jose Fire

It was 5:20 AM on July 5th, when Fire Associates was paged to a 2nd-alarm fire in San Jose's Almaden Valley. Located at 6484 Cranbrook Court, the fire fully involved a split-level house being rented by the occupants. Arriving on scene with Support Unit 2 was Don Gilbert. He was met on scene by FASCV President, John Whitaker and his son Jeff. Jeff was in town visiting over the Holiday weekend.

Coffee and donuts were the order of the day on a foggy morning. Setting up in Rehab with Med 30 and AMR, Support Unit 2 was located amongst a variety of firefighting equipment midway down the L-shaped cul-de-sac. As usual, FASCV's services were well-received.

The fire began in a lower-level laundry room and quickly spread throughout the entire structure. Just about every room in the large home was affected by fire. However, all occupants were able to escape the inferno.

John Whitaker's photos can be seen at: SJS - Almaden Valley House Fire

A news story from the SJ Merc-News can be viewed at: Two-alarm House Fire

June 25, 2009 -- Response for San Jose Tier Fire

On Thursday, June 25, Fire Associates was paged by San Jose Fire at 3:20 PM to a tier fire in the southeast portion of the city. The fire was located near the intersection of Silver Creek Valley Road and Coyote Road. The command post was set up in a parking lot for the Coyote Creek Trail.

Responding in Support Unit 2 were Don Gilbert and John Whiteside. Also on scene for FASCV were members John Whitaker, Mike Chappell and George Hoyt. Fire Associates' primary responsibility at this event was to order and deliver meals to the weary firefighters. San Jose Asst. Chief Dana Reed handed John Whitaker a credit card and basically said,"There's a Baja Fresh nearby; we need 100 burritos; make it happen." As it turned out, as soon as John and Mike arrived with the burritos, a request was made to return and order 50 more -- making a total of 150 burritos! The meals were delivered to crews in the field by S.J. Battalion Chief Cliff Hubbard and by Fire Associates with the assistance of Spring Valley Volunteer, Ken Cooper. Water and ice were also in demand on a warm summer afternoon. The fire was declared under control at 4:15 PM.

A news story in the Gilroy Dispatch can be viewed at this link: Grass Fire Contained

The KTVU TV webpage has a story and photos at this link: Firefighters Contain Grass Fire