"The Embers" Typo Corrected Here

    
There was an error in our January 2012 edition of The Embers newsletter. A typo appeared in the RSVP contact e-mail address for the Santa Clara County Fire Dept. firefighters retirement dinner. To make certain that you get all the correct information, the article has been reprinted here, in its entirety:
    

IAFF Local 1165, Santa Clara County Firefighters, is holding a retirement dinner on 1/28/12 at the Hyatt Place Hotel (adjacent to San Jose Convention Center) for 37 firefighters who have retired over recent months. For information and reservations, go to daronp@pacbell.net. We've known many of these retirees since they began their careers.

Tony Balsa; Tim Baughman; John Becker; Graesson Berbano; Steve Black; Todd Bruce; Tom Buchan; Manuel Burns; Melanie Chase; Kevin Dennis; Patty Doler; Steve Franklin; Vincent Fung; Jim Galbo; Marsha Hovey; Craig Jessup; Randy Jones; Karen Kuns; Todd Lamert; Clark Mauel; Teresa Meisenbach; Bill Morrison; Mark Nadvornik; Don Olson; Hal Rooney; Kelly Seitz; Steve Stockman; Rick Stoker; Jim Swanson; Bill Sylvester; Nick Valdez; Monique Vandenberg; Wes Vanosdol; Joe Virarnontez; Ken Waldvogel; Ian Wallace and Charles Witmer.

   

Christmas Day 3-Alarm Fire Causes Fire Associates Response

    

On Christmas afternoon, at approximately 6:00PM, San Jose Fire dispatched on a structure fire located a few blocks away from Station 35. The incident address was 244 Omira Drive, near Lean Avenue. It was a 2-story house, single-family, with several wheelchair-bound occupants. The first on-scene unit, Truck 35, concentrated on rescue of the occupants. Heavy fire was soon reported in the garage and a 2^nd alarm was called. Soon a precautionary 3^rd alarm was called, which triggered a response from Fire Associates for a Fire Support Unit (FSU). John Whiteside was monitoring the call from the beginning, notified the answering/paging service and started responding upon the 3^rd alarm request.

Just as John was leaving his driveway enroute to pick up FSU #3 at Station 35, he monitored a fire dispatch to a chimney fire on Loma Prieta Drive, a few blocks from his house and an empty Station 12, which was at the Omira fire. Since John would have to go past this fire scene, he rerouted to it, gave a status report via radio to San Jose Fire, then continued on to Station 35 to activate FSU-3.

Upon John’s arrival at the Omira fire in FSU-3, the Incident Commander requested he set up for coffee and drinks. Soon John was joined by Don Gilbert, and then Mike Chappell. Clif Bars were available for anyone who wanted them -- or maybe had not yet had Christmas dinner.  FSU-3 was released at  9:30PM and returned to nearby Station 35.

There were many “Thank you’s” from area residents to both the firemen and policemen at the scene for working Christmas Day, as well as to Fire Associates from the fire personnel. It seems that either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is a regular fire callout for Fire Associates, based on the past few years’ history. 

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside

   

Three Fires In A Span of 5 Hours Keeps Fire Associates Members Busy

The first day of December became a busy day for Santa Clara county fire departments and, hence, Fire Associates' members. Three different fires in the span of 5 hours stretched from Campbell to South San Jose. Descriptions of the 3 events follows:

3:21 P.M. Thursday, December 1 

Photo by Brian A. Floyd, Campbell Patch

Santa Clara County Fire Calls for Aid at 2-Alarm Fire In Campbell

On Wednesday evening, the weather forecasters were all predicting strong winds for the entire state of California. So, it was not surprising when a structure fire in Campbell quickly went to a second alarm. John Whitaker was returning home from an errand when the call for assistance came from the Santa Clara County Fire Department. He looked across the Valley and saw a plume of smoke rising from the Valley's West Side.

John quickly went home, donned his FASCV gear, and responded in Fire Support Unit 2 to the location at 420 Nello Drive - parallelling San Tomas Expressway. He was met on scene by FASCV member George Hoyt who helped with rehab location. Also helping with rehab set up was past FASCV guest Walt Huber.

Considering the strong winds, and the building's shake-roof construction, County Fire crews made a good knockdown of the blaze. The fire apparently began in a garage area at the rear of the structure. Flames spread up the exterior of the building and entered he attic space through the roof vents. Once inside the attic, the fire ran the length of the building.
About an hour after FSU-2 arrived on scene, a second, unrelated, multi-alarm fire broke out less than 2 miles away. Crews who were on the periphery of the fireground were quickly dispatched to the new incident, leaving extremely "jealous" first-in firefighters who were still occupied with the Nello Drive overhaul.

• John's photos can be viewed at: Nello Drive Incident

4:49 P.M. Thursday, December 1 
Another 2-Alarm Incident Causes Santa Clara County Fire to Respond to Its Second Fire In Campbell

Photo by Brian A. Floyd, Campbell Patch

 
The second fire of the day was not far from the first. Located at 600 Marathon Drive, just 2 intersections up the San Tomas Expressway, this fire was burning on an exterior balcony. Because of the high winds, it didn't take long for the fire to enter the attic and through the 12-unit building.
 
Because Fire Support Unit 2 was tied up providing service at the first fire, Bob Gundrum responded to this incident in FSU-1. He was joined on scene by Jerry Haag, Ron Green, Bruce Dembecki, Larry Carr, George Hoyt and Walter Huber (guest). John Whitaker was eventually released from the Nello Drive fire and responded in with FSU-2. Jerry's report follows:

Date and Time: 01 December 2011, 1630 hours
Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 600 Marathon Drive, Campbell
Type: 2nd alarm.

Details: Large, two-story, non-sprinklered apartment building. Fire on a second floor balcony, threat to spread to attic. Truss roof warning issued.

Responders:
CNT: E-6, 8, 9, 15, 301; R-17 and 3; T-1, 5; HM-2; BS-2; ICs Batt-2 (Cocraft) and Batt-12 (Salazar); Batt-3; Batt-14
FASCV Responding Units: FSU-1, supplemented by FSU-2 which was returning from a nearby 2nd alarm fire. Eventually, FSU-2 left the scene to go back into service just in time to attend a Tier vegetation fire in South San Jose. FSU-1 was released at 1930 hours.

• An article covering the two Campbell fires can be read on the Campbell Patch page at: Fires Displace Residents
   
• John's photos can be viewed at: 2-Alarm Apartment Fire

7:21 P.M. Thursday, December 1
Fire Associates Responds to a Rare Nighttime Tier Vegetation Fire in South San Jose

Photo by Bruce Dembecki

 
With two structure fires under his belt, John Whitaker was just about to put FSU-2 away for the night at SJFD Station 6 when the rig radio began to crackle with word of a vegetation fire in South San Jose. So, sitting on the apron of Station 6, and knowing that it was a cold, windy night, John called Fire Dispatch to ask if the IC would like to have an already staffed Support Unit respond. The reply from Battalion 13 was, "Yes!" That's all John needed to hear, and he was off!

Located at 5215 Hellyer Ave., the fire was reported to be about an acre in size and located behind a row of office and industrial buildings. Even with the quicker than usual response, by the time John arrived, the fire had already been knocked down and crews were mopping up. The Engine 18 Captain explained that they had been to the site about an hour earlier and could not find a fire. This time, the crews had a better idea where to look and arrived at the exact site. With a hydrant handy, the engines were able to quell the fire with deck guns and minimal hand lines -- therefore, there was not much mop up required.

By this time, John had been joined by George Hoyt and Bruce Dembecki, who helped provide some fluids and Clif Bars to crews who had not yet had dinner. MMMMM... Gatorade and Clif Bars for dinner - yum!
 

FASCV Responds to 3-Alarm Incident for Santa Clara County Fire Dept.

 
Date & Time: 26 November 2011, 1800 hours
Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 21230 Homestead Road, Cupertino
Type: 3rd alarm.
 
Details: Incident located at Village Green Apartments - a large, two-story, nonsprinklered apartment building. Fire showing from a second floor end unit on arrival of E-1, quickly spread to attic. Water supply a problem, initially. No hydrants in the complex necessitating  an extremely long lay of 5" supply line.


Responders: CNT: E-1, 2, 7, 9, 16; R-14, 17; T-1; HM-2; BS-2; IC-Batt. 14 (Werner), Batt-3, Batt-2
SJS: T-14; LU-14; E-15; Med-30, Batt-10
SNY: E-3
MTV: Batt-18
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 2125 hours.
FASCV Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver), Geoge Hoyt, Jerry Haag, Mike Chappell and Josh Chappell (guest).

• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at: Fire Leaves 50 People Homeless
   
• Photos by Craig Allyn Rose:  Homestead Rd. Fire    

  
-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag

   

FASCV Responds to 2-Alarm Fire for Santa Clara County Fire

  

Date & Time: 16 November 2011, 0242 hours 

Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 10256 Glencoe Drive, Cupertino  

Type: 2nd alarm.
 

Details: Small, single-story, single-family, occupied house. Fireplace coals placed in can outside under eaves flared up and fire entered the concealed space between the original flat roof and remodel peaked roof. Substantial damage to the house, one adult and four children displaced.

Responders:
CNT: E-1, 2, 7, 16, 17; R-14; T-1; HM-2; BS-2; IC-Batt. 2 (Cocroft), Batt-14
SJS: T-14

FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 0600 hours.
FASCV Responders: Jerry Haag (driver) and Ron Green

     

-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag

   

Fire Associates Aids Santa Clara County at 2-Alarm Incident in Los Altos



   

(Remember to click on these photos to view full-size images)

Date and Time: 08 November 2011, 0121 hours
Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 401 Raquel Lane, Los Altos
Type: 2nd alarm.

 

Details: Single-story, single-family, occupied house.
 
Responders:
CNT: E-1, 2, 7, 15, 16; R-3, 17; T-1, 14; HM-2; BS-2; IC-Batt. 14 (Young), Batt-2
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-4. Released at 0430 hours.
FASCV Responders: Larry Carr (driver), Jerry Haag and Dan Wong

• Dan Wong's photos can be viewed at:  Los Altos Fire 

-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag

 

South County Requests FASCV for 2-Alarm Fire

   

On November 1, at about 10:30 A.M., South County Fire (CALFIRE) radio-paged CALFIRE Volunteer In Fire Prevention (VIP) and FASCV member John Whiteside requesting a Fire Support Unit response to a 2-alarm structure fire. The fire was in a rural, single-story ranch house at located 2545 Dunlap Ave., between Furlong Ave. and Ferguson Road, east of the Gilroy Outlets. It was an attic fire, requiring mutual aid from Gilroy, Santa Clara County and South County District with station coverage by San Jose.

John contacted our paging service and the member page went out at 10:41 A.M. John responded from San Jose Station 35 with Fire Support Unit 3. He was met on scene by Ron Green, who happened to be in the area. Mike Chappell was already there with CALFIRE unit Supply 1610. John Whitaker arrived later. We provided drinks and Clif Bars to the firefighters.

Before John arrived with FSU 3 at about 11:20, the Fire District had another call -- an apparent brush fire miles away near the San Benito County line. Some fire rigs were freed up from the structure fire and additional CALFIRE, Santa Clara County, Gilroy and San Jose units were dispatched. It turned out to be a pile of debris and most rigs were soon released.

Then, just after 12:30 P.M., a brush fire was called in near Frazier Lake Road and Bloomfield Ave. -- again near the San Benito County line. The smoke was visible from our structure fire, with the smoke column building. Units were again released from the structure fire, with additional CALFIRE units from out of county dispatched along with an air tanker and Copter 901. Mike left for this fire in Supply 1610 with drinks. The fire grew to approximately 10 acres before being contained. FSU 3 was released from the structure fire at 13:01 P.M. and, not being needed for the brush fire, returned to quarters in San Jose.

• John's photos can be viewed at:  Gilroy House Fire
• A Gilroy Patch news story can be read at:  Rural Gilroy Fires

-- Report by John Whiteside
-- Photos by John Whitaker 

FASCV Called Out for 3-Alarmer In San Jose

  
Date: 10/23/11
Type: Structure Fire
Size:   3 Alarm
Jurisdiction: San Jose Fire Department
Location: 1675 Bowling Green Drive, San Jose
Responding Members: Bruce Dembecki, Jerry Haag and Don Gilbert
Response Units: FSU2

Bruce has provided the following report:

A little before 2:00AM on October 23, San Jose Fire called for Fire Associates at 1675 Bowling Green Drive, San Jose. An apartment complex had been burning and within 30 minutes, with flames shooting through the roof, a decision was made to go to a 3rd alarm. While the fire was raging on both floors of the complex, the situation was made more challenging for firefighters as the flooring on the second story of the building became quite weak. The fire building was one in a complex of several, and all 32 apartments in that building were uninhabitable as a result of the fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters had difficulties advancing a line much further inside than 15 feet into the building due to extremely heavy smoke and flames inside the building. The hallway between the units acted as a tunnel trapping heat and smoke - this, together with the number of units, complicated firefighting efforts. Two residents of the complex were transported to hospital as a result of injuries suffered in the blaze. One resident was rescued off a 2nd-story balcony and another was treated for injuries after jumping from a balcony.

Once the fire was under control, firefighters set about gathering the residents still on scene and organizing Red Cross assistance. Of the 32 apartments, firefighters found residents from 17, totaling 47 people who had lost most of their belongings and a place to sleep. Valley Transit Authority responded two city busses to the scene to give the residents somewhere sheltered to wait while the Red Cross worked with them on finding temporary housing and other assistance. As it was already after 4:00AM, it is believed the residents from other units had found temporary accommodation with friends in other buildings in the complex and Red Cross's work load will rise as Sunday goes on.

FASCV member Bruce Dembecki arrived on scene at 2:20AM with Fire Support Unit 2. He was met by members Don Gilbert and Jerry Haag. Rehab was quickly established and FSU 2 served firefighters both hot and cold drinks and as always provided a great location for firefighters to take a break and recover from their exertion.
  

Fire Associates Called Back Out to Support Police Incident

 

Date & Time:  05 October 2011, Sonitrol page at 1814, FASCV on scene at 1920.

Agency:  Santa Clara County Fire Dept. request for Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

Type:  Special Call, Police Operation.

Incident Address:  19120 Homestead Road near Tantau Ave. (Police Command Post).

 

Details:  Support at Command Post for police action at Sunnyvale incident, released during canteen set-up.

 

FASCV Responding Unit:  Fire Support Unit-1. Released at 1945.

FASCV Responders:  Dan Wong (Driver) and Mike Chappell.

 

-- Report Submitted by Dan Wong

 

Police Again Request Fire Associates' Assistance

For the second time in a month, one of Santa Clara County's police agencies has asked for Fire Associates' aid. This time, it was support for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office requested through Santa Clara County Fire Dispatch. At the time, several police agencies were involved in a manhunt for an assault suspect. Jerry Haag has submitted this report:

Date & Time: 05 October 2011, Sonitrol page at 1034, on-scene at 1125. 

Agency: Santa Clara County Fire
Incident Address: 22260 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino  

Type: Special Call

Details: Support at Command Post for police action at cement quarry. 60 meals served.

FASCV Responding Unit: Fire Support Unit-1. Released at 1530 hours.
FASCV Responders: Jerry Haag (driver), Dan Wong, George Hoyt and Mike Chappell.

• A San Jose Mercury News story on the day's events can be read at:  Suspected Gunman Hunted in Cupertino
   
• An update on this story can be read in the San Jose Mercury News at:  Suspect Shot as Manhunt Ends