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On Nov. 30 at 9:45 A.M., Santa Clara County Fire called for Fire Associates help at a 2nd-alarm fire in Morgan Hill. The fire was burning in a 4-plex apartment unit located at 18216 Hale Ave. in Morgan Hill. John Whitaker answered the call with Support Unit 2. He was met on scene by George Hoyt and Mike Chappell. Mike lives only a few blocks away from this address.
The fire started on the second floor on the 2-story townhouse. An unattended candle was apparently the cause. Adequate fire blocks in the structure kept the severe damage limited to the involved unit and minor damage occurred in one adjoining apartment. First-arriving fire crews found flames rolling out of the bedroom window and a second alarm was called almost immediately. Everyone made it out of the apartment safely and firefighters were busy on scene until the early afternoon with overhaul.
Fire Associates set up rehab on Hale Ave., just west of the fire scene. With bright blue autumn skies and little wind, Gatorade, water and Cliff Bars were in demand on an afternoon when temperatures reached into the lows 70s. Support Unit 2 was released from the scene at 12:45 P.M. and was back in quarters by 1:30 P.M.
* Photo by Natalie Everett, Morgan Hill Times
On Tuesday morning, Nov. 24, at 6:48 A.M., Fire Associates was paged to a fire in Santa Clara. Located at the intersection of Bowers Ave. and Kifer Rd., the fire was burning in a Carl's Jr. Restaurant. Jerry Haag responded in Support Unit 1 and was met by FASCV members Ron Green and Bob Gundrum. Jerry has submitted this report:
Date: 24 Nov. 2009
Time: 0648 Sonitrol dispatch, 0705 arrival, released at 0815.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: City of Santa Clara
Location: 2900 Bowers Ave.
Details: Carl's Jr. Restaurant. Origin in a piece of cooking equipment, spread up into ceiling space then to mansard concealed space. Initial structural response was at about 0500. SNC Engine 9 provided three 1-3/4" hand lines and a 5" supply to an elevated master stream from SNC Truck 2.
Units in attendance:
SNC: E-3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10; T-2, 8; R-2; HM-9; Med-5; & Batt.-1
Responding Members: Haag (driver), Green, Gundrum
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1
At 11:47 P.M. on Nov. 20, Santa Clara County Fire requested Fire Associates assistance for a 2nd-alarm fire in Campbell. The fire was burning in a 7-Eleven convenience store at 262 W. Sunnyoaks Avenue -- near the intersection with Winchester Blvd. Don Gilbert answered the call with Support Unit 2. He was met on scene by John Whitaker and Mike Chappell.
Firefighters were faced with two issues -- limited access to the structure and an extensive amount of smoke. Although called a "convenience" store, the fire was anything but. The building was located adjacent to a combination Vallero gas station/Deli -- it literally butted up against the non-involved gas station. The cinder-block wall of the gas station acted as a very-effective fire wall and kept the active fire from spreading. County Truck 1 was able to "reach" over the gas station/Deli and attack the flames from above. The front of the 7-Eleven was accessible, but a large quantity of smoke initially kept firefighters at a distance. Adding to the difficulty, CNT Engine 10 was away from its Sunnyoaks Station on another call at the time of the fire. Sunnyoaks Station is located 2 blocks west of the incident. CNT Truck 5 was first-in and had to use its pumps for the initial hand-line attack.
With temperatures dipping into the low 40s, rehab was kept busy making many pots of coffee. Once again, cold and wet firefighters were very happy to see Fire Associates on scene. Support Unit 2 was not released until 4:00 A.M. after a long, cold Fall morning.
On Tuesday morning, Nov. 17, Palo Alto Fire called for a 2nd-alarm response at a large condo building. Located at 360 Everett Ave., the fire apparently began on the ground floor of a 5-story complex. Jerry Haag answered the 5:15 A.M. page and responded in Fire Support Unit 1. He was met by FASCV member Ron Green. Jerry has written the following report:
Date: 17 Nov. 2009
Time: 0445 second alarm sounded, 0515 Sonitrol dispatch, 0545 arrival, released at 0715.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: City of Palo Alto
Location: 360 Everett Ave.
Details: Five story condominium building. Fire started on a first-floor patio on the "B" side (possibly due to a barbeque), spread to a second-floor porch but was prevented from entering the second floor dwelling unit by effective fire operations and fire resistive construction on the underside of the porch. Palo Alto Engine 1 was first in with water supply provided by Menlo Engine 1 on auto-aid. The fire was quickly extinguished with minimal overhaul so auto-aid and second alarm apparatus was already being released as FS-1 arrived at the scene.
Units in attendance:
PAF: E-1, 3, 4, 6, T-6, R-2, ALS-1, B-6, IC was Acting B/C, Capt. Morris
MTV: E-1, T-1, B-18 (B/C Del Carlo)
MNL: E-1 (auto-aid)
Responding Members: Haag (driver), Green
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1
On Friday night, Nov. 13, San Jose Fire called for Fire Associates service at 12:07 A.M. An 8-plex apartment building had caught fire around 11:00 P.M. Located at 5506 Makati Circle, the fire was burning in the middle of a larger apartment development on the city's southeast side. Don Gilbert responded in Support Unit 2. He was met on scene by John Whiteside, Ron Green and John Whitaker.
The fire appeared to have started in a lower-floor apartment and then spread upwards into the top-floor of the building. Flames were through the roof as the first units arrived. There were 3 ladders flowing water at one time with plenty of hydrants for 5” hoses. Despite the tight confines, there were no access problems as driveways allowed the trucks to drive right up to the fire building. It was especially interesting to see Truck 13, one of San Jose's two new tillered aerials, navigate the small driveways with ease. Firefighters commented that the building's construction help to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the large complex. The cool fall night air meant that hot coffee was in demand at rehab.
On Monday night, November 2, Fire Associates was paged for a fire burning in the Calderon Tire building. John Whiteside, who had been listening to his scanner, was already in route to get Support Unit 2 when the 10:45 P.M. page was issued. John was met on scene by FASCV members Mike Chappell, John Whitaker and Brian Woodson.
Located near the northwest corner of South First Street and Union Ave., the fire was burning tires and other garage-type material stored inside the old, brick building. Soon after arriving, San Jose Fire declared it a defensive event and hit the fire with three master-streams from Trucks 1, 3 and 4. At the height of the fire, flames were reported to be shooting 65 to 70 feet high.
Support 2 provided coffee, donuts and water to some tired firefighters on a relatively mild Fall evening. After the main blaze had been knocked down, Foam 29 was called into service to supply Truck 3 and eventually bring the fire under control. By daybreak, the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
On Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, a 2nd-alarm fire in Sunnyvale drew the attention on FASCV member Jerry Haag. Jerry had been listening on his scanner and self-dispatched to the incident with Support Unit 1 prior to Sunnyvale's request for our assistance. The fire eventually went to a 3rd alarm. Jerry has written the following report...
Date: 28 Oct. 2009
Time: 0715 Self-dispatch on second alarm, 0751 Sonitrol dispatch, 0800 arrival, released at 1300.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Third alarm
Jurisdiction: City of Sunnyvale
Location: 366 W. Olive St.
Details: Two-story, 16-unit apartment building in a complex of 8 similar buildings. Fire started on the first floor, spread to second floor and attic. Given the advanced stage of the fire on arrival of first engine, a good stop was made. Direct fire damage to only 4 or 5 units with smoke and water damage to 3 or 4 more. Hand-line attack was made by E-1. E-2 operated a deck gun. Mountain View T-1 operated an elevated master stream from an adjoining parking lot supplied by SNY E-5. Engineer estimated 1000 gpm flow to the pipe. He was carrying 240 psi discharge pressure (that's why we buy 1500 gpm engines).
Units in attendance:
SNY: E-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 30, 40, Reserve 1, T-1, R-2, Med-7, IC was Carrion
MTV: T-1
CNT: E-1
SNC: E-7, T-8
Responding Members: Haag (driver), Holcomb, Hoyt
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1
Your friendly "Blog Master" (me) has been lounging in the Tropics for few weeks. I know, I know -- "It's a tough life". With my absence, fire reports have been delayed.
But, I’m back on the Mainland and it's time to get caught up…
1) Thursday, October 15, 2009
Palo Alto Fire called for Fire Associates’ service at at 6:52 P.M. Jerry Haag and Ron Green responded and were met by Len Williams driving Support Unit 1. Jerry submitted this report…
Date: 15 Oct. 2009
Time: 1854 Sonitrol dispatch, 1930 arrival by Green and Haag, 2045 arrival by FSU-1, released at 2130.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: Palo Alto
Location: 965 Addison Avenue
Details: Single-family, single-story building.
Responding Members: Williams (driver), Green, Haag
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1
Remarks: Extended response time of FSU-1 due to mistaken cancellation of Fire Associates response by Palo Alto Dispatch and then reinstatement. They meant to cancel only the Overhead Support Team.
2) Wednesday, October 21, 2009
At 5:47 A.M., San Jose Fire paged Fire Associates for a house fire in the Almaden Valley. Located at 5827 Brasilia Way, the fire was burning in an apparently vacant home. John Whiteside responded in Support Unit 2 and was joined by FASCV member, Mike Chappell. John submitted this report…
"Oct. 21, SJFD structure fire, 5827 Brasilia Way, at the end of the road and up the hill. This is near the SW corner of the intersection of Almaden Expressway and Coleman Road. Initially, a 2nd alarm but later downgraded. At about 0330, a caller reported a column of smoke in the area, but it took some time to locate and access the incident. Our page came in about 0550 and I reached the scene with Support Unit 2 and 3 doz. donuts at about 0630. Met by Mike Chappell with George Hoyt joining around lunchtime to see if meals were needed. We were already working on the order and George picked up 42 Togo’s.
When I arrived, only E13 and T13 were on scene, with T13 starting to leave. Single 3” supply line up the driveway. I wondered ‘what do I do with 3 doz donuts?’ About 0730, Sta. 5 personnel arrived with the Porta Potty and, during a walk-around tour, they and E13 noticed a body at the bottom of the basement stairs, in the water. The house had been rendered unsafe to enter. Looking thru the windows gave the impression it was empty, with no furniture. Also, there was much obscene, spray-painted graffiti on a garage wall.
That’s when things got very busy. Now, a possible crime scene!!! Soon, we had 4 SJPD cars, detectives, SJFD chiefs, Coroner’s office, SJPD Crime Lab van, HIT 29, USAR 5, etc. County’s arson dog (Rosie) was also called in. We had to wait until the Coroner retrieved the body, secured the scene, and departed. We got many thanks from all -- especially the Detectives and PD officers. We reminded them of how to request FA when needed.
We were on scene 9 hours. Not intense work for us, just coffee, lemonade and lunch. We checked out via PD security and went home around 1530."
3) Monday, October 26, 2009
Our most recent call occurred early Monday morning, Oct. 26 at 2:27 A.M. Milpitas Fire called for our assistance at a single-family house fire. Located at 610 Tramway Drive, the fire was in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of Interstate 680 and Jacklin Road. John Whitaker responded with Support Unit 2 and was met on scene by FASCV member Ron Green.
From the street, the structure looked undamaged due to a screen fence and vegetation that blocked the view of the home. Unfortunately, the screening also hindered firefighters’ access to the home which made suppression activities more difficult. Also, most of the fire was located in “add-on” rooms at the rear of the home. The fire was extinguished by the time FASCV arrived on scene, but our services were needed on a chilly morning. Crews remained to overhaul the structure and wait for shoring material so investigators could search for clues to the fire’s origin.
After serving a lot of coffee and donuts, Fire Associates was released from the incident at approximately 5:00 A.M.
At 2:06 A.M. on Sunday morning, Oct. 11, Fire Associates was requested by Santa Clara County Fire for a fire in Los Gatos. Responding to the 2nd-alarm call at 172 Towne Terrace was Jerry Haag in Support Unit 1. Jerry was assisted by FASCV member, Ron Green and guest, Dan Wong. Jerry has submitted this report:
Date: 11 Oct. 2009
Time: 0208 Sonitrol dispatch, 0300 arrival, released at 0600.
Type: Structure fire
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: County Fire
Location: 172 Towne Terrace, Los Gatos
Details: Multiple-family, two-story building. Engine 3 and Rescue 3 first in. Two 1-3/4" crosslays pulled from E-3, water supply by 5" supply line from nearby hydrant. Two dwelling units seriously damaged, one fatality in first floor unit of origin, 7 persons displaced.
Units in attendance:
CNT: Batt. 3 (Parker), E-3, 6, 8, 10, 305, R-3, HM-2, BS-2, T-5
Others cleared before arrival of Fire Support Unit
Responding Members: Haag (driver), Green, Dan Wong (guest)
Fire Support Unit Responding: FS-1
Remarks: Donuts were served with prior permission of IC.
Early Thursday morning, Oct. 8, Fire Associates was paged to a house fire in northeast San Jose. The 3rd-alarm house fire was located at 754 N. White Road. John Whiteside responded to the 2:28 A.M. call in Support Unit 2 and was met by John Whitaker, Ron Green and Mike Chappell.
The house was almost fully involved when the first-responding fire units pulled up in front of the 2-story structure. Two of the occupants were standing on the street, but a third person was unaccounted for. Because of the intensity of the fire, an early defensive firefighting effort was required, which made any attempt of a rescue impossible. Unfortunately, later in the day, the remains of missing occupant were found on the second floor. Due to the instability of the structure, an extensive shoring effort was needed before the body could be removed by the Coroner's Office.
A rehab area was establish by SJFD Med30 and AMR on a nearby lawn and our Support Unit's portable lighting came in handy. FASCV supplied the usual early morning fare -- hot coffee and donuts. A considerable amount of water and other cold liquids were also in demand. As the morning progressed into the afternoon, Fire Associates also arranged for, delivered and served Togo's sandwiches, chips and fresh fruit.
The Support Unit was released at approximately 1:30 PM.
