Fire in Campbell 4-Plex Causes 2-Alarm Response

 

Date & Time: 04-22-2012, 1150 hours
Agency: County Fire
Incident Address: 1017 W. Hamilton, Campbell
Type: Second alarm
 
Details: Two-story four-plex. Fire started in lower floor kitchen due to cooking error, spread to second floor, attic and roof. Serious exposure on B side, protected with little damage. Hot day--much hydration administered.

Agency Responders:
CNT: E-8, 10, 11, 17; T-1, 5; R-3, 17; HM-2, BS-2; Batt-2, 3, 14. IC was Batt-3 (Smith)
SJS: E-14; T-14; LU-14 (auto aid)
 
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Arrived: 1227, released: 1440 hours.
Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver), Dan Wong, Ron Green, George Hoyt,  John Whitaker, Jerry Haag and Walter Huber (guest).

• John's photos can be viewed at:  Campbell 4-plex Fire

   

Fire Associates Responds to Another Apartment Fire

 
Date & Time:  April 13, 2012, 1347 hours
Incident Address: 235 Fairchild, Mountain View
Agency: Mountain View
Type: Second alarm
 
Details: One-story, over-carport apartment house. Fire started in carport, spread vertically to units above. Second alarm units released prior to arrival of Fire Associates, but service given to overhaul personnel.
 
Agency Responders:
MTV: E-1, 2, 3, 4, 5; T-1; R-1; IC-Batt. 18 (Owen)
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-1. Released at 1530 hours.
Responders: Bob Gundrum (driver), Jerry Haag, Dan Wong and Walter Huber (guest).
 
-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag
 

Mountain View Calls a 2nd Alarm At Apartment Blaze

 

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

Date and Time: April 10, 2012; 9:00 A.M.
Agency: Mountain View
Incident Address: 1571 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View
Type: Second alarm

Agency Responders:
MTV: E-1, 2, 3, 4; T-1; R-1; HM-5; IC-Batt. 18 (Del Carlo); Safety-18A1.
MOF: E-5; T-6
PA: R-2, Air Unit, Batt. 6
FASCV Responding Unit: FSU-4. Released at 1230 hours.
Responding FASCV members: Larry Carr (driver), Jerry Haag, Ron Green, Dan Wong and  Bruce Dembecki.

April 10, 2012, at around 8:30 A.M. Mountain View Fire Department responded to reports of an apartment building on fire along busy El Camino Real. Arriving firefighters discovered smoke and flame pouring from the building, and quickly went to work evacuating residents. Noone was injured during the conflagration, which rendered 6 appartments unihabitable. Mountain View was assisted in the two alarm fire by additional units from Palo Alto and Moffett Fire departments, with County Fire providing station coverage.

While it was apparent that the fire started in the laundry room off the car port below the two levels of living space, fire investigators were still working on determining the exact cause.

Fire Associates' services were requested at 9:00 A.M. and Larry Carr responded with Fire Support Unit 4. Larry was met on scene by FASCV members Jerry Haag, Dan Wong, Ron Green and Bruce Dembecki. Once the fire was contained and firefighters were rehabbed Fire Associates members went to work on lunch for the remaining crews. By 12:30 30 Burritos had been consumed and most of the remaining crews, including Fire Support Unit 4, were being released.

• A Mountain View Patch news article can be read at:  Morning Fire in Mtn. View
   
• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  El Camino Fire

-- Report submitted by Jerry Haag and Bruce Dembecki

San Jose Calls for a 3rd Alarm At Apartment Fire

  

On Friday, April 6, at about 7:15 P.M., John Whiteside was finishing dinner at home and monitoring his scanner when he heard San Jose Fire dispatch to a structure fire. The fire had been reported by several telephone callers to be on Payne Avenue near San Tomas Aquino Road, in west San Jose. The location is around a long, curving corner block and behind San Jose Station 14.

A responding fire rig reported heavy smoke visible, under pressure, and 2nd alarm was requested and dispatched. The location, at 4250 Payne, was a four-plex apartment located in an apartment complex. With exposures, a 3rd alarm was requested, which is the usual trigger for a Fire Associates response in San Jose.

John notified the answering service for the page out, and headed for Fire Support Unit 2. At 7:45 P.M., he departed San Jose Station 6 with FSU 2 and arrived on scene about 8:00 P.M.

Quick work by the initial fire units had contained the fire, and the 3rd alarm was released from staging. Soon, John was joined by FASCV vice president Jerry Haag and Walter Huber (guest). Coffee, hot chocolate, bottled drinks and Clif Bars were the favorite items dispensed. FSU #2 was released after 10:00 P.M. The Red Cross provided services for the displaced occupants.

•  An impressive YouTube video is at:  Payne Apartment Fire

 

-- Report submitted by John Whiteside

 

Fire Associates Honored By Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety

  

Sunnyvale Deputy Chief James Bouziane presents the
Department's "Certificate of Recognition" to FASCV
President Bob Gundrum

At the most-recent Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley monthly meeting, the organization was honored to receive an award from the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS).

As FASCV members arrived at the April 5th meeting, they quickly noticed that the meeting room was already full of officers from the Sunnyvale DPS. Our organization was out-numbered and it became obvious that something was a-foot!

President Bob Gundrum called the meeting to order and soon introduced Acting Battalion Chief, Anthony "AJ" Berrien. Berrien explained that the purpose of the large DPS turnout was to say "Thank You" to the Fire Associates for their dedication to serving not only the Sunnyvale DPS, but all the fire departments in Santa Clara County. AJ pointed out that the Fire Associates went about their task in a professional and knowledgeable manner. He said that Incident Commanders never have to worry that the rehab operation was going to run smoothly when the FASCV members were on scene.

AJ then introduced Field Training Officer Mike Lecy and explained that it was Lecy who started the ball rolling to honor FASCV members. Mike spoke to the organization and gave his personal thanks for all the hot coffee in the middle of the night, or the cold beverages on a hot, summer day.

It was then time to make a presentation and AJ introduced Deputy Chief James Bouziane, who was filling in for Department Chief Frank Grgurina. Grgurina was not able to be in attendance. Dep. Cheif Bouziane also added his appreciation for the work that the FASCV does at a fire scene. He explained that he learned of FASCV's work soon after he joined the department and has been grateful ever since.

The award was then announced - The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety's "Certificate of Recognition". The certificate was presented by Deputy Chief Bouziane to FASCV President Bob Gundrum, who accepted on behalf of the group's hardworking members. The certificate reads, "To FASCV for your invaluable support and continued efforts through the years in providing essential nutrition and hydration at structure fire rehabilitation stations."

Fire Associates members who were in attendance were appreciative of the recognition and humbled by the large turnout of Sunnyvale DPS officers. 

 

Firefighters Respond to House Fire In San Jose

 

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

On April 2, 2012, San Jose firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire at 95 Squarehaven Court. First-in Engine 18 reported heavy smoke and some flame visible and upgraded the incident to a full first alarm. There were reports of fire through the roof and showing heavy flame for several minutes, but firefighters were able to quickly contain the blaze. Firefighters were able to restrict damage to the kitchen and were able to save the bedrooms and other parts of the house. Once the fire was controlled, extensive overhaul was required on the property, resulting in several hours more work.
 
B/C Juan Diaz made a special call for Fire Associates as it was clear from the blown in insulation that overhaul would be extended, and it was a warm spring afternoon. Bruce Dembecki responded with Fire Support Unit 2 and was met on scene by FASCV members John Whiteside, Mike Chappell, George Hoyt and Ron Green. Clif Bars and lemonade were the order of the day as firefighters looked to replenish fluids and refuel from their efforts.
 
While unusual to receive a call on a First Alarm incident, Fire Associates were quick to respond and happy to help the firefighters, who were certainly pleased to see the Support Unit on scene. After being requested around 2:30 P.M., Fire Associates was released at 4:30 P.M. as operations were finishing up.

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

-- Submitted by Bruce Dembecki

San Jose Firefighters Battle 4-Alarm Apartment Fire

     

Photo By Craig Allyn Rose

Firefighter Hurt in
Morning Blaze
 
San Jose firefighters responded to reports of a four-plex apartment building on fire on Thursday, March 15 at 2:43 A.M. Arriving units reported fire through the roof of the fourplex  located at 3776 Underwood Street on the city's west side. The incident was eventually upgraded to a four-alarm response, including 2 mutual aid engines, a truck from Santa Clara City Fire and a B/C from Santa Clara County Fire. The fourth alarm units were cancelled en route.

During the incident, the roof collapsed around a ventilation cut, causing one firefighter to fall through the roof, suffering extensive burns to one hand. He was hospitalized in stable condition. As of Friday morning, he is reported to be resting comfortably in the burn ward where he is expected to stay for the next 2 to 5 days, depending upon his recovery.

San Jose Dispatch called Fire Associates for support at 3:19 A.M. and, by 4:00 A.M., Bruce Dembecki had Fire Support Unit 2 on scene. FASCV members Jerry Haag, John Whitaker, George Hoyt, Mike Chappell, Dan Wong and Ron Green were also on hand. Rehab was established in the narrow street and, together with Med 30 and the Rural Metro crews on hand, firefighters were rehydrated, fed and sent back to work. Fire Support Unit 2 was released shortly after 6:00 A.M. It was an unusually "balmy" Winter's night with a 58-degree temperature.

Knock down was achieved about an hour after the first reports, and the incident was under control about 4 hours later. Seventeen residents were displaced by the fire. Red Cross crews were summoned to assist the residents, while VTA provided a bus as shelter for the residents until other arrangements could be made.

• Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at:  Underwood Blaze
• John's photos are at:  San Jose Apartment Fire
• Photos by Craig Allyn Rose are at:  Underwood Apartments
• A San Jose Mercury News story including video can be read at:  Firefighter Hurt in Morning Blaze

-- Report Submitted by Bruce Dembecki

FASCV Responds to Sunnyvale Gas Leak

 
Date and Time:  March 8, 1600 hours
Incident Address:  779 East Arques, Sunnyvale
Type:  Voluntary FASCV Response
Agency:  Sunnyvale

Details:  Silane gas leak confined to gas cabinet. Small amount of flame. Sprinkler operated.

Agency Responders:
SNY: E-2, 5; T-1, 2; R-2; XSC Medic-25; IC-Batt. 1, Safety-Batt. 10.
FASCV Responding Unit:  FSU-1. Released at 1915 hours.
FASCV Responders:  Bob Gundrum (driver), Jerry Haag and Ron Green.

-- Report Submitted by Jerry Haag
 

House Fire Results In 2-Alarm Response By County Firefighters

  

At about 10:30 A.M., on March 6, Santa Clara County Fire Department responded to reports of a house on fire at 45 Welker Court in Campbell. Arriving units discovered the roof well ablaze and fire throughout the attic and portions of the home. A second alarm was called and firefighters struggled to contain the fire in very windy conditions.

Photos By Bruce Dembecki

County Fire called Fire Associates for a Support Unit at 10:58 A.M. and Bruce Dembecki arrived on scene at 11:15 A.M. with Fire Support Unit 2. Bruce was met on scene by FASCV members Robert Gundrum, Jerry Haag and, making a rare fireground appearance, Fred Abell. Fire Associates established a rehab area and provided both hot and cold drinks and, later in the day, served lunch to hungry firefighters.

Burning "blown in" insulation in the attic added to the problems firefighters were dealing with and contributed to increased risks for nearby exposures -- particularly on the "Charlie" side where the property backed onto an apartment block. Fire department investigators determined the incident was likely a result of a discarded cigarette.

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  Campbell House Fire
   
• A San Jose Mercury News story with photos can be read at:  Campbell Residents Displaced

-- Report Submitted by Bruce Dembecki
 

FSU-3 Responds to San Jose Garage Fire

 

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

On March 4, at 2258 hours, FASCV member John Whiteside responded to a page from the San Jose Fire Department requesting a Fire Support Unit for a structure fire at 3946 Tuers Road near Yerba Buena Road. After getting details from San Jose Fire Dispatch, he went to Station 35 and responded with FSU-3 at 2325. On scene, Bruce Dembecki was waiting with staging instructions and Mike Chappell soon joined them.

A single-family, single-story house with a heavy fuel load in the attic was burning, and the metal tile roof over the garage soon collapsed. The dispatch level was a full 1st alarm (3 engines, 2 trucks, 2 BCs, Med 30) followed by special call for two additional engines and Fire Associates due to extensive overhaul. Drinking water, Gatorade, coffee, hot chocolate and Clif Bars were provided to the firefighters. FSU-3 was released sometime after 0200 and John got home by 0300 for a few hours of sleep.

• Bruce's photos can be seen at:  San Jose Garage Fire

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside