Support Unit 1 Responds to Santa Clara Structure Fire

   
Date: 7-29-15 @ 1508 Hrs
Agency: SNC
Location: 871 Keith Ln (corrected address)
Type: 1st alarm - voluntary response (high temperature: 90+)
 
Details: When the "Working Fire" page was received from SNC dispatch, I immediately called and told the answering dispatcher that I would be responding with FSU-1 due to the high temperature, which was followed by an enthusiastic "THANK YOU".  Single-story, single-family dwelling, garage fully involved upon arrival of 1st-due Eng. 96.  Appeared that a good stop was made, after the attic was ventilated, thereby holding fire from most of the living area.  For sure there was smoke and water damage in the living area.
 
Responding Support Unit: FSU-1
Responding FASCV Members :  Bob Gundrum (driver)
 
-- Report submitted By Bob Gundrum

As With Many Things -- It's Location, Location, Location!

  
With California suffering the worst drought anyone can remember, everyone is forced to make changes in how they do things. For example, we like to keep our rigs clean. But the image of one of our rigs on the apron of a fire station being washed seems like it would cause problems for our fire department hosts. As a result, we took Fire Support Unit 2 out today to find a hand wash facility that recycles their water…

   

So, on July 18, while out and about working on our rig, a call came across the radio for a house on fire at 1896 Biscayne Way in San Jose. Having just been washed, and only being two freeway exits away, Fire Support Unit 2 attached to the incident, arriving shortly after the first-in Engine 16. The single-story home was burning inside and out!

   

Police officers who first came across the burning home rushed in to find the residents thoroughly engrossed in a televised sports event and completely unaware that the structure was on fire. Fortunately, the police officers were able to affect a rescue and evacuate the home.

   

Engine 16 got a quick knock down on the fire, and FASCV member Bruce Dembecki set up a hydration station outside the residence. While a Full First Alarm fire is somewhat smaller than most incidents Fire Associates responds to, the cold drinks were well appreciated on a warm summer afternoon.

  

-- Report submitted by Bruce Dembecki

Coyote Creek at Tuers Road...Again

  

Photo by John Whiteside

Friday, July 10, at 5:12 P.M., San Jose dispatched a Tier 2 alarm to Capitol Expressway at Tuers Road. A brush fire was reported to be burning along the west side of the creek and atop an old landfill, on the south side of Capitol Expy. This created a rush-hour traffic jam with the expressway’s third lane being closed off for fire equipment staging.

    

John Whiteside was returning home to San Jose from Morgan Hill Cal Fire VIP duty when the page was received. Being the only south area driver available, he responded to pick up Fire Support Unit 3 at Station 35. He arrived on scene at approximately 6:30 P.M. and set up benches, cold drinks, and Clif bars. On-scene guests, Nick Arnett and Ken Needham, went to pickup 40 Togo meals at the request of the Incident Commander. Fire Associates doesn't usually use the help of guests on the fireground to this extent, but since the request would have necessitated John taking FSU-3 away from Rehab to make the pick-up, in this case it was good to have a couple of guests available. The food was welcomed by the tired crews.

   

Several burning trees were considered a danger to personnel and had to be cut down. Cal Fire Engine 1673 was dispatched to handle this job -- especially to fall a very large, tall tree that was ablaze top to bottom. By 9:30 P.M., except for a couple of San Jose engine companies, all units had been released from the scene.

• View more of John Whiteside's photos at:  Tuers Rd. Fire

-- Report submitted by John Whiteside 

4th of July Challenge for San Jose Firefighters

What do you get when you combine illegal fireworks in the neighborhood with someone who chronically keeps too much stuff…?

    

In this case, the fire was started by someone’s use of illegal fireworks, but made far more challenging by the amount of belongings the resident had in and around the home. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, the house had heavy flames shooting out of the "Charlie" and "Delta" sides and was spreading into the attic -- while also threatening neighboring exposures.

  

The first units on the scene, near the intersection of Yerba Buena Rd. and Brock Way, immediately called for a second alarm. Dispatchers were working hard to cover the multiple incidents taking place at that time -- 9:45 P.M. on July 4th. With a 5-in. supply line crossing Yerba Buena Rd., there were significant problems with motorists continuing on their way -- right over the 5-in. line. The dangerous situation resulted in a request for Code 3 SJPD assistance.

  

Bruce Dembecki in Fire Support Unit 2 responded to the scene at 10:00 P.M. and spent the first 20 minutes turning traffic around on Yerba Buena Rd. until PD units could establish a more-effective traffic plan. At that time, Med 30 requested Fire Associates establish Rehab for firefighters working to gain access to the congested interior of the house so they could control the blaze.

   

Rehab was popular on a warm summer evening with Gatorade and water literally flying off the shelves.

  

The blaze was contained and damage to the exposures was minimized. Eventually, fire crews were released to assist in other parts of the City on a busy July 4th night. Fire Support Unit 2 went back in service at midnight.

  
-- Report submitted by Bruce Dembecki

Remotly Operated Drone Impact Ignites Vegetation Fire

  
Date: July 4, 2015, 13:08
Agencies responding:  Palo Alto, Woodside, and CalFire
Location:  1135 Campus Dr. East - Lake Lagunita - dry lake bed.
Alarm Level:  First + (Voluntary FASCV Response)
  
Details:  Lake Lagunita was drained many years ago (believe before I retired) after a male drowned in the lake.  A member of the Stanford community was flying a battery-operated drone over the lake and it developed problems and had a sudden impact with the dry, grass-covered, dry lake bed.  I talked to the "pilot" who indicated that if the batteries are damaged, there is a possibility for combustion. Oh Yes!!!!!  The dry lake is within 100 yards of the Foothill Expressway with "Dish Hill" beyond that, with dry tall grass.  Fire Support Unit 1 was out en route at 13:08 and back in the Station by 17:00.
   
Responding Support Unit: FSU-1
Responding FASCV Members:  Gundrum (driver)
   
-- Report submitted by Bob Gundrum

Auto Accident with Fire Spreading to Vegetation

     
Date:  July 1, 2015
Agency:  CNT - Santa Clara County Fire
Type:  2nd Alarm Vegetation Fire
Location:  15451 Bohlman Rd., Saratoga
    
Details:  Auto accident with fire spreading into vegetation.
     
Responding Support Unit:  FSU-1 (Garcia, driver)
Responding FASCV Members:  Jerry Haag and Ken Needham (guest)
   
-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag

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

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

Location:  2165 Lucretia Ave., San Jose

   

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

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

-- Report submitted by John Whitaker

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

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

• Mike Garcia's photos can be viewed at:  Monte Sereno Blaze
      
• An ABC7 News story and video can be viewed at:  Residents Escape

-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag and Mike Garcia