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.

   

The "New" FSU-3 Makes First Run

History will show that at apporoximately 6:25 P.M. on Monday, Nov. 29, Fire Support Unit 3 made its first run out of SJFD Station 35. We say that with tongue-in-cheek, but the fact is, that's what happened. The "new" FSU-3 is actually our former FSU-1 that has been renumbered and stationed at SJFD Station 35 specifically to better cover the south end of the Santa Clara Valley.

At 6:03 P.M., South County Fire called for Fire Associates' assistance at a structure fire in the Holiday Lakes Estates area of Morgan Hill. FASCV president, John Whitaker, was behind the wheel, and Bruce Dembecki was along for the trip, as FSU-3 pulled out of the station and headed down U.S. 101 for the East Dunne Ave. exit.

Once on scene at 3069 Butterfly Lane, FSU-3 was positioned just up the hill from the incident as the narrow roads in the area limited access to the fire scene. John and Bruce were joined by FASCV member Mike Chappell. As the evening turned into a cold night, one would think that hot coffee would be the beverage of choice. But, fire crews seemed to prefer Gatorade and water after a lot of hard work to get at the stubborn flames. The structure was located on a hillside above Lake Anderson and was not easily reached on the downhill side -- where most of the fire was burning!

A resident, who was at home at the time, said that she noticed "a flickering out on the deck" and went to investigate. When she got to the window, she noticed that her feet were getting warm and knew that something was not right. That was a good guess, as the fire made its way into the kitchen and living room areas by the time fire crews arrived at the remote location.

All who were on scene braved very cold temperatures, making a dinner from Jack-In-The-Box more appreciated than one might normally think. By the time FSU-3 was released, the temperature had dropped into the low 30s. FSU-3 was back in the station and ready for service by 12:15 A.M.

• Bruce's photos may be viewed at:  Morgan Hill House Fire

-- Accompanying photos by Bruce Dembecki and John Whitaker
 

San Jose Opens New Station for Engine Co. 19

For the second weekend in a row, the San Jose Fire Department has held a grand opening for a new fire station. On Saturday morning, Nov. 20, the San Jose Fire Department held an open house and ribbon-cutting for their new Fire Station No. 19. The new building is located on Sierra Road at the southwest corner of Piedmont Road.

Fire Station 19 has relocated from their existing address at the corner of Piedmont Road and Penitencia Creek Road. In March 2002, the City of San Jose voters passed the Neighborhood Security Bond Act that approved the issuance of General Obligation bonds to fund the construction of public safety facilities. Fire Station 19 was one of the stations selected for relocation as part of the program to improve service delivery.

The new Fire Station 19 is a two-story, 6,049 square-foot, single-company fire station with two apparatus bays. Construction started in September 2008 and was completed over the summer.

Fire Associates President John Whitaker was in attendance on a rainy and blustery day. But that didn't dampen the spirits of the local community, as an estimated 200 people were in attendance. Included in the gathering were San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, San Jose City Council Members Kansen Chu and Ash Kalara, San Jose Fire Chief Willie McDonald, Milpitas Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant, and many members of the San Jose Fire Department senior staff. SJFD Assistant Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed acted as emcee for the event.

• To view John Whitaker's photos, go to:  Station 19 Opening

Fire Support Unit 3 Has A New Home

Fire Associates is very pleased to announce that Fire Support Unit 3 is now in service at SJFD Station 35. The custom-built, 1989 Ford F-350 is located in an apparatus bay that was designed for a future Battalion Chief. Until that assignment happens, we have been approved to occupy the space. The station's address is 135 Poughkeepsie Road - between Blossom Hill Road and Cottle Road.

This move is a milestone in the 41-year history of our organization. Now, for the very first time, we have 3 support units in front-line service at 3 different locations throughout Santa Clara County.

This has been a long process that began with the purchase of our very first brand new rig in 2009. Because that rig, a 2008 Ford F-550, is diesel-powered, it necessitated a move out of our long-time home at Station 26, to new quarters at Station 6. Station 6 had the required Nederman exhaust extraction equipment that Station 26 did not. Then, in 2010, we purchased another rig that became FSU-1, which is based in Santa Clara. The former FSU-1 then became FSU-3, and because of the Nederman requirement, it sat idle in a warehouse for a few months. Did you follow all that?

Now, within the last month, we received approval from the San Jose Fire Department to place FSU-3 into service at SJFD Station 35. The approval was made possible by the efforts of Retired Deputy Chief Dana Reed; Deputy Chief Joseph Carillo; and Apparatus Program Manager, Robert Culbertson.

• To view photos of FSU-3 in it's new home, as well as photos of the relocation effort, go to this link:  FSU-3 at Station 35

Congratulations to all...

-- Accompanying photos by Bruce Dembecki
 

San Jose Opens New Fire Station in Alum Rock Neighborhood

  
On Saturday morning, Nov. 13, the San Jose Fire Department held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting for their new Fire Station No. 2. Located at 2949 Alum Rock Ave., the station replaces one that has been on the site for 60 years. Known as "The Rock" and "Empire Station", the station is home to Engine 2, Truck and Light Unit 2, and Patrol 2.

Fire Associates members Don Gilbert and and Bruce Dembecki were in attendance on a warm, fall day. Bruce reports that they "...saw lots of old and new friends, watched them open the fire station, got a nice BBQ lunch."

To learn more about the opening, read this article from the San Jose Mercury News:  

• New Alum Rock Fire Station Dedicated

-- Report and Photos Submitted by Bruce Dembecki
 

3-Alarm Fire in Sunnyvale Triggers Early-Morning Response

 
Date: 13 November 2010
Time: 0635 Self-dispatch on Second Alarm, 0720 Arrival, 0900 Release
Type: Structure
Size: Third alarm
Jurisdiction: Sunnyvale
Location: 1248 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road

Details:  Two-story apartment building over carport
Remarks: Fire started in first floor apartment, spread across width of apartment unit and out of both ends to floor above. Aggressive attack was successful in keeping it out of the attic especially in light of well developed fire upon arrival of first company. Approximately 10 persons displaced, one injured person transported.
Units in Attendance:
SNY: Engines 1, 10, 2, 3, 30, 4, 40, 5 and 6; Truck 2; Rescue 2; Med 8; Batt. 3
SNC: Truck 2 and one engine for station fill
MTV: One engine for station fill

Responding Members: Haag (driver), Wong, Green, Dembecki, Hoyt and David Thompson (guest)
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Sunnyvale Apt. Fire

-- Report Submitted By: Jerry Haag
-- Accompanying Photo By: Bruce Dembecki

2-Alarm Carport Fire In Santa Clara

   
Date: 12 November 2010
Time: 0227 Sonitrol page, 0315 Arrival, 0430 Release
Type: Structure
Size: Second alarm
Jurisdiction: Santa Clara
Location: 3341 Monroe St.

Details:  Open-air, detached carport. 6 cars destroyed or damaged.
Units in Attendance: Engines 1, 5 and 9; Truck 2; Rescue 2; Batt. 1 (Dellamaggiore [IC])
Remarks: Engine 9 first in, followed closely by Engine 5. Each established own water supply and each pulled a 2-1/2" and a 1-3/4" attack line, E-9 on the Monroe street side and E-5 on the Marchese Way side. Engine 1 and other units were released before arrival of FSU-1.

Responding Members: Haag (driver), and Wong
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1

-- Report Submitted by: J. Haag

Level 2 Hazmat Response in San Jose

Date: 10 November 2010
Time: 1429 Sonitrol page, 1520 Arrival, 1546 Release
Type: Structure
Size: Level 2 HazMat and MPMP Activation Level 2
Jurisdiction: San Jose
Location: 1080 S. De Anza Blvd.

Details: Chlorine release at DACA Swim School
Units in Attendance: Both SJS HIT 29 and CNT HM 2 and attending apparatus responded plus many AMR units.
Remarks: 15 patients transported

Responding Members: Haag (driver), Dembecki, Chappell, Hoyt and Wong
Fire Support Unit Responding: FSU-1

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  San Jose Hazmat Incident

-- Report Submitted by: Jerry Haag
-- Accompanying Photo by: Bruce Dembecki