Amonia Leak Results in FASCV Response

At 11:21 A.M. on Saturday, March 19, Fire Associates received a request for assistance from the San Jose Fire Department. A 5,000-gal. tank of ammonia was leaking at the Santa Clara Valley Water District treatment plant located on Rosalind Lane in the Almaden Valley. The leak caused SJFD to respond a HAZMAT Task Force and the extended containment and clean-up operation necessitated a call for FASCV help. John Whitaker responded in Fire Support Unit 2 and was joined by FASCV members Jerry Haag and Dan Wong.

It was a blustery and rainy early afternoon, so the first order of business for FASCV was to erect both of FSU-2's pop-up shelters. Once those were in place, serving tables and benches were put out. Pots of hot coffee were quickly perked along with a request for a kettle of hot water for tea. Temperatures were in the high 40's and the rain continued to fall throughout the entire operation.

Since the call came in just before the noon hour, fire crews on scene not yet eaten lunch. So, FASCV was asked to pick up and serve 40 Togo's sandwiches and chips. Jerry Haag and Dan Wong made the lunch run and Jerry reported that since the order was placed for the San Jose Fire Department, Togo's offerred a 10% discount on the meal -- a much appreciated offer, we're sure.

Firefighters from the SJFD Hit Team donned their protective gear and inspected the tank for danger. The report back was that the leak had been adequately plugged by Santa Clara Valley Water Dept. personnel and the 250 gallons of leaked ammonia was contained. By mid-afternoon, the scene was turned over to Water Department representatives who indicated that they would have a contractor vacuum up the spill to eliminate any problem. Fire Associates was released from the incident at 3:00 P.M. However, the work was not over as John and Dan had to return to Station 6 and spread out all the FASCV equipment to dry. The day's work was completed shortly after 4:00 P.M.

• John's photos can be viewed at:  Ammonia Leak Incident
   
• A SJ Mercury News article can be read at:  Ammonia Leak Detected
   
  
• A KTVU TV news story and video can be viewed at:  Ammonia Leak Contained
   

Two Early Morning Responses for Santa Clara Co. Fire Dept.

  
Early on Saturday morning, March 12, two fires in the Saratoga area within 2 hours of each other kept firefighters and several Fire Associates' members busy. After being paged by the Santa Clara County Fire Dept., Jerry Haag responded to both events in Fire Support Unit 3 (running as FSU-1 out of Santa Clara Station 9). He was joined both times by members Dan Wong and Mike Chappell.

Jerry has submitted the following, brief reports:

Response #1:

12 March 2011, 0246 hours
Address: 20211 Argonaut, Saratoga
Type: Second alarm. Large single-story, single-family dwelling under construction.
Responding Unit: FSU-3 as FSU-1
Responders: Haag (driver), Wong, Chappell

Response #2:

12 March 2011, 0455 hours
Address: 19915 Mallory, Saratoga
Type: Full first alarm plus 1 engine. Large single-story, single-family dwelling under construction.
Responding Unit: FSU-3 as FSU-1
Responders: Haag (driver), Wong, Chappell
    

San Jose Apartment Fire Results in 3rd-Alarm Response

On Tuesday, Feb. 22, at approximately 8:30 P.M., the San Jose Fire Dept. called for Fire Associates' aid at an apartment fire in the city's Alum Rock area. The fire was burning in a townhouse apartment at 299 Cartago Court. Bruce Dembecki responded in Fire Support Unit 2. He was met by FASCV members Jerry Haag, Ron Green, John Whitaker, Mike Chappell and Dan Wong.

The apartment was fully engulfed when the first-arriving fire crews came on scene. This caused a very quick 2nd alarm to be called and ultimately led to a 3rd alarm because of the attached apartments and the close proximity of other buildings. Also, a carport was located to the rear of the apartment with several cars in danger of adding to the inferno.

Rehab had not been established by the time FASCV arrived on scene. So, at the direction of SJFD Med30, a rehab area was established on a large lawn at the intersection of Cartago Ct. and El Rancho Verde Drive. Firefighters enjoyed a place to sit down while AMR took vitals, and coffee, Clif Bars and Gatorade were the refreshments of choice. Fire Associates was released at 11:00 P.M.

• John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at:  SJS - Cartago Ct. Fire
   
• Bruce Dembecki's photos of the incident can be seen at:  Cartago Court Fire
  
  
• A San Jose Mercury News article can be read at:  East San Jose Apartment Fire

-- Accompanying photos by John Whitaker and Bruce Dembecki
  

Valentines Day Brings 2-Alarm Response into Morgan Hill

Santa Clara County Fire called for Fire Associates' aid on Monday evening, just at the end of the Valentine's dinner hour. At 7:48 PM, FASCV was paged to a factory fire at 18410 Butterfield Blvd. near the cross with Jarvis Ave. Don Gilbert and John Whitaker responded to Morgan Hill in FSU-3. They were met on scene by FASCV members Bruce Dembecki, Mike Chappell and Ron Green.

The first-arriving County Fire units found a heavy column of smoke coming from the center of a large, tilt-up structure occupied by Tencate Advanced Composites. County Fire was joined on scene by South County Fire District, Gilroy Fire Dept. and San Jose Fire Dept. rigs who arrived as part of a mutual aid response. Once the fire was knocked down, crews had to deal with a hazmat clean up operation. The fire apparently was the result of chemicals that "over cooked" and the resulting smoke and fumes were not easily vented. The hazmat situation meant that the rehab area was also staffed by 3 American Medical Response medic rigs as well as an AMR supervisor.

Fire Associates provided the usual hot coffee, cold beverages and Clif Bars until we were released at approximately 11:00 PM. Fire crews greatly appreciated the response on a night when most husbands are home with their wives!

•  Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Morgan Hill Factory Fire

-- Accompanying photos by Bruce Dembecki
   

2nd-Alarm Response for Mtn. View Deli Fire

Time: 23 January 2011, 1215 hours
Address: 400 San Antonio Road., Mountain View
Type: Second alarm. Large single-story, commercial, wood frame building, non-sprinklered. Four units, three occupied (including Dittmer's Gourmet Meats and Wurst-Haus -- Sob!).

Remarks: Minor damage around the smokehouse vent. Could have been much worse if it hadn't evidenced itself during the day. Dittmer's should be back in business soon -- Yea!

Fire Units in Attendance:
     MTV: E-1, 2, 3, 4; T-1, R-1, HM-5
     IC: Batt. 18 (Alameda)
     18A1; 18A3    
     PAF: E-2, 5; T-6; Batt. 6
Responding Unit: FSU-3 (running as FSU-1)
Responders: Gundrum (driver), Haag, Williams, Wong, Dembecki, Hoyt, Dave Thompson (guest)

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Dittmer's Deli Fire
  
  
• A SJ Mercury-News story can be read at:  Mtn. View Deli Fire

-- Submitted by J. Haag 
-- Accompanying photo by B. Dembecki

Gas Line Break Causes FASCV Response

At 4:16 A.M. on Saturday, Jan. 22, Fire Associates responded to a special request from the San Jose Fire Department. A car was sitting on top of a broken gas meter at 1190 S. Second St. Don Gilbert responded with Support Unit 2 and was joined on scene by George Hoyt, John Whitaker and Bruce Dembecki.

Although the incident amounted to the equivalent of a first-alarm response, it was expected that firefighters would be on scene for an extended period of time while PG&E crews dig up the street to access a shut-off point. However, shortly after FASCV members arrived and set up a rehab location on W. Humbolt St., PG&E announced that they had been able to access a valve and had stopped the flow of natural gas. No digging was necessary. So, fire crews were released and enjoyed our hot coffee and Clif Bars before going back in service. After breaking down rehab, FASCV members celebrated the early departure by going to a nearby Denny's and having breakfast.

•  Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Second Street Gas Leak
  
  
• A SJ Mercury-News story can be read at:  Accident Causes Gas Leak

-- Submitted by John Whitaker
-- Accompanying photos by Bruce Dembecki

San Martin Barn Fire Requires Early Morning Response

At 3 minutes after midnight on Monday, Jan. 10, the South County Fire District called for Fire Associates assistance. Located at 1060 Church Street, at the intersection with Columbet Ave., a barn was fully involved and threatening a home and several out-buildings. This location is east of the Highway 101 freeway. John Whiteside responded in Support Unit 2 and was met on scene by Mike Chappell, John Whitaker and Dan Wong.

On a very cold (and getting colder by the hour!!!) winter morning, FASCV members quickly established a rehab area and served hot coffee, donuts, and assorted Clif Bars. The air temperature by 3:30 A.M. reached a bone-chilling 28 degrees! The barn was located approximately 75 yards to the west of Columbet Ave. and was surrounded by corrals containing an assortment of small farm animals...and a llama. Several ponies were inside the barn at the time of the fire, one of which was severely burned and tended to by a neighboring veterinary doctor.

Responding for the South County Fire District were 3 engines, 2 water tenders, and Battalion Chief Ken McGeever from Cal Fire. Responding in on mutual aid were Gilroy Fire's Engines 61 and 81 along with Battalion Chief Phil King. The barn and several small sheds were a total loss, but a nearby home was saved after a small roof fire was extinguished. Fire Associates was released just before 3:30 A.M. As the serving table was being washed, the water on the table turned to ice between the time water was poured and a cleaning cloth was applied! Proof that it really was cold.

• John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at:  San Martin Barn Fire
  

• John's video of the fire can be downloaded at:  Barn Fire Video

Fire Associates Responds to Palo Alto

   

Date:  23 December 2010
Time:  0845 hours
Alarm:  Second alarm.
Location: 886 Loma Verde Ave., Palo Alto
Type:  Single-family, single-story, with auto shop in rear. Exposures on all sides.
 
Fire Units in Attendance: 

• PAF:  E-2, 3, 4, 5, 6; T-6; R-2; Medic 1, 2; IC: Batt. 6 (Broussard)
  
• MTV:  T-1

Responding Unit:  FSU-1
Responders:  Bob Gundrum (driver), Jerry Haag, Ron Green, Bruce Dembecki and David Thompson as a guest.

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  Palo Alto House Fire
• David Thompson's photos are at:  Palo Alto Fire

-- Report submitted by:  J. Haag
-- Accompanying photo by: Bruce Dembecki
   

3rd-Alarm Response for Santa Clara City Fire

 

Shortly after 7:00 P.M. on December 14, the Santa Clara Fire Department responded to reports of a house fire at 190 Arcadia Ave. Fire Associates member Ron Green responded with Fire Support Unit 1 and was met on scene by members Jerry Haag and Bruce Dembecki, along with Fire Associates guest Walter Huber. With light rain falling in the area, Rehab was established under the cover of our Easy-Up awnings, and grateful fire fighters appreciated the hot and cold drinks, and the snacks.

Arriving fire units discovered the house well involved and it was determined the occupants were still inside the house. The operation quickly turned into a rescue as large amounts of property inside the house created difficulties for firefighters and fuel for the fire. A second alarm was struck and eventually a third alarm for Mutual Aid to provide district coverage around Santa Clara.

Firefighters successfully affected the rescue of the house's occupants, but the extensive levels of property within the house made inside operations impossible and fueled a rapidly growing fire. The operation went defensive and firefighters worked to control the blaze from the outside, with Truck 2 providing a master stream.

The fire was contained to the house, and by around 10:00 P.M., the IC decided the best approach was to continue to contain the fire inside the house from the exterior, and make efforts in the light of day to pull apart the smoldering materials inside the house and finally extinguish the fire. Most fire units and FSU1 were released by 10:30 P.M., with a smaller contingent of fire personal remaining on scene overnight to operate fire watch.

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Santa Clara House Fire

-- Report and Photos Submitted by Bruce Dembecki
  

Fire Associates' Member Gets Involved in the Holidays

The following is reprinted from "Beyond the Badge", the December issue of the Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety's on-line newsletter:

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety hosted its third annual Rides for Toys event on Saturday, December 11. During this free special charity event, each child who donated a new, unwrapped toy was given a ride on a Sunnyvale fire engine.

The event was a major success. DPS firefighters collected enough toys to fill up a 15 passenger van from Sunnyvale Community Services.  Len Williams, from Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley, brought his 1920's fire engine for viewing, which was a huge hit with the families.

Parents had a chance to discuss fire safety with Sunnyvale Public Safety personnel and received informational brochures. Sunnyvale firefighters presented the donated toys to Sunnyvale Community Services, One of the biggest demands this year for Community Services are toys.