SJFD News & Public Information

Fast Action Saves San José Restaurant

2008-06-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

On June 17, 2008 just before 5:00 a.m. units of the San Jose Fire Department responded to reports of flames and smoke issuing from the rear awning of the Cozy Restaurant located at 2089 The Alameda.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire that appeared to be burning through the tile roof above a small storage area attached to the two-story structure.

After careful inspection of the interior of the building it was determined that there was no extension and units began to return to service. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Simulated Natural Gas Explosion Drill

2008-06-10T16:03:00.001-07:00

On the morning of June 10, 2008, Cisco Systems, Calpine and the San Jose Fire Department, with the assistance of AMR, participated in a simulated natural gas explosion and multi-causality event. Engines 25 and 29, Truck and Rescue Medic 29, Med 30 and Battalion 29 worked with Cisco System’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) members to assess, treat and transport moulaged victims.

The “real time” drill incorporated a limited unified command with SJFD assuming lead roles as IC and PIO. Functional groups were created for Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, Rescue and Medical. Cisco showcased their state-of-the-art NERV (Network Emergency Response Vehicle) that has extensive technological and communication capabilities.

Cisco has performed simulated drills for nearly a decade at their north San Jose campus.

SJFD Dispatchers Aid Summit Fire Command Post

2008-06-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

In addition to strike teams of firefighters on fire engines assigned to fire suppression operations, San Jose Fire dispatchers were also part of the mutual aid response to the Summit Fire. Senior Dispatcher Tracy Jackson spent two days assisting at the Cal Fire Morgan Hill Command Center’s Expanded Dispatch Center. She was assigned to generate, fill and place requests for overhead personnel and equipment needed to support operations at the fire – making sure mutual aid resources needed to fight the fire and support their activities got the call.

Meanwhile, Senior Dispatchers Tracy Deitschman and Randall Larson were assigned as Incident Dispatchers to the Summit Fire Command Post established at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. Joined by dispatchers from Santa Clara County Communications, and later by incident dispatchers from Sacramento and Orange County, Tracy and Randall spent nine days with “Summit Communications,” responsible for managing communications 24-hours-a-day between crews on the fireline, command and support staff at the Incident Base Camp,and various allied fire, medical and law enforcement agencies. Operating in a mobile communications unit deployed by Santa Clara County, communications on the Summit Fire was the backbone of incident management and firefighter accountability.

All three of San Jose’s Incident Dispatchers supporting the Summit Fire were trained, certified and qualified in their positions through the California Fire Chiefs Association, Communications Section, and are part of the Fire Department’s Incident Dispatch Team, which regularly responds to provide a communications and resource accountability to major incidents within the city. In previous years, San Jose Fire dispatchers were deployed outside the city as mutual aid resources to provide communications support during the 2006 an 2003 southern California fire sieges, and on numerous other fires.

For more information on the SJFD Incident Dispatch Team, link to: www.sjfd.org/idt.htm

Submitted by Randall Larson, Director, SJFD Incident Dispatch Team.

“The Villages” 4-Plex Hit by Four-Alarm Fire

2008-06-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 18, the San Jose Fire Department responded to a call of a fully engulfed four-plex on fire. Reported at 11:17 A.M, the fire was at 5028 Cribari Vale in “The Villages”, a senior community in the Evergreen Valley District of the city.

Upon arrival, Engine 11 found that there was a large multiple-unit structure on fire and a second alarm was dispatched at 11:22 A.M. There were heavy flames on the first and second floors and a third alarm was dispatched at 11:30 A.M.

Ultimately, two additional engines were dispatched to assist with rehab of the crews on scene and the fire was declared under control at 2:50 P.M. Sixty-nine firefighters battled the four-alarm fire. Unfortunately, a male resident died in the fire.

Five firefighters were injured during the fire, with four suffering minor injuries that required treatment at Santa Teresa Hospital.

Photos by John Whitaker, Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley

San José Fire Answers the Call

2008-05-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Day five breaks over the nearly 4,000 acre Summit Fire as it continues to burn in the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains. Winds are light, humidity is way up, and firefighters continue to douse hotspots.

Thousands upon thousands of feet of hose line has been dragged into place. Fire lines have been scratched down to bare earth using dozers and hand tools. Helicopters and tankers have reinforced the lines to prevent the continued spread of flames and all of this is made possible by almost 3,000 firefighters, including members of the San José Fire Department.

The Summit Fire erupted in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 22, 2008. At 5:17 a.m. conditions were just right for a wildland blaze to take off as north winds blew across the ridge tops and through the mountain canyons, sometimes reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour. It's been over 100 years since fire has swept through this area leaving a tremendous amount of fuel to feed the advance of the fire.

Firefighters from San José are serving as members of a strike team tasked with protecting structures threatened by onrushing flames. The job is an inherently dangerous one as conditions are often unpredictable requiring firefighters to maintain constant situational awareness. In the case of the Summit Fire some 39 homes have been lost but approximately 600 residences were spared thanks to the efforts of firefighters.

From base camp at Gilroy's Christmas Hill Park to structure protection along Summit Road, the men and women of the fire service may now have the upper hand on the Summit Fire, but they also know that it is only May, and the 2008 fire season has just begun.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Fire Destroys West San José Apartments

2008-03-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 5:00 p.m., units of the San José Fire Department were dispatched to 7200 Bollinger Road on the city's west side for multiple reports of heavy smoke from a two-story, multi-unit, residential structure.

Upon their arrival firefighters discovered two second floor units fully involved in fire and immediately struck a second-alarm. It took firefighters over an hour to completely extinguish the flames which left several residents homeless and one man with injuries.

San José firefighters, assisted by units of the Santa Clara County Fire Department, were able to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the building, but several other apartment units did suffer smoke and water damage.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Vacant IBM Building Destroyed by Fire

2008-03-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

When a passerby stopped at San José Fire Station 35 at around 1:30 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2008 to alert Captain Trent Engler and his C-Shift crew of a fire on the old IBM property, Engler and his firefighters departed their station to find a massive column of smoke and fire coming from the center of the abandoned 69,000 square foot structure.

Captain Engler immediately requested a second-alarm to bolster the full-first alarm that had already been struck. A third-alarm was then struck some 15 minutes later due to access difficulties and a lack of immediately available water. Crews were forced to extend extremely long hose lays to supply the multiple hand lines, master streams, and portable monitors that were placed into service.

Over 80 firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before the majority of the flames were doused. The complex itself was the subject of some dispute after historical preservationists suggested the buildings be saved due to their association with early advances in information storage technology and the unique architectural design by John Bolles.

Two firefighters received minor sprains, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Four-Alarm Fire Consumes Vacant Warehouse

2008-02-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 10:30 PM, units of the San José Fire Department responded to reports of a fire in a large commercial structure at 686 North King Road in an industrial area of the city.

Upon their arrival, crews quickly called for additional resources and established a defensive operation under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Jose Guerrero (Incident Commander), Kevin Conant (Operations), Stewart McGehee, Gary Weekley, Robert Sapien (Safety) and additional chief officers from CAL FIRE and the Gilroy Fire Department.

Firefighters were able to quickly determine that the structure was unoccupied, with a well-advanced fire that required the immediate establishment of a defensive operation including the deployment of five truck companies, each flowing their elevated master streams.

Over 60 firefighters worked for several hours to bring the blaze under control while protecting adjacent exposures from igniting. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation and there were no reports of injuries.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Fire Destroys DowntownBuilding Under Renovation

2008-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

At approximately 2 a.m., Thursday, January 17, 2008 units of the San José Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in a building at 89 South First Street in the heart of downtown San José.

Upon reaching the scene firefighters were confronted with a two-story historic structure well-involved with heavy fire showing. With flames leaping over 40 feet into the air firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Kevin Conant, Cliff Hubbard, and Stewart McGehee immediately transitioned to a defensive operation to protect adjacent structures.

Firefighters were able to successfully prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring structures, but the fire completely destroyed the 19,000 square foot masonry building. The structure, known as the Porter Stock Building, was constructed in 1867.

There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Golden Guardian Comes to San Jose

2007-11-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

First responders from multiple agencies, including the San Jose Fire Department, descended upon San Jose's Municipal Stadium for the Golden Guardian 2007 bioterrorism drill held on Wednesday, November 14.

The scenario required interagency cooperation to contend with a mock terrorist attack on a music festival using airborne pneumonic plague. San Jose Fire units, directed by Deputy Incident Commander Kevin Conant, initiated a full-scale response using the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to manage all aspects of the drill. Firefighters from San Jose Stations 1 and 29 worked with firefighters from Santa Clara County, Mountain View, Gilroy, CAL FIRE, and medical personnel from American Medical Response, Silicon Valley Ambulance, and the Santa Clara County EMS Agency.

The primary goal of the exercise was to deploy multiple resources on a single mass casualty incident to determine overall readiness and agency interoperability. Several hundred volunteers played the part of concert goers, all needing some level of assistance ranging from immediate medical attention, evacuation, and emergency medication.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Four-Alarm Fire DestroysHistoric San Jose Home

2007-07-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, July 19, 2007 the City of San Jose lost one of its most historic homes to an early morning fire. Just before 4:00 a.m. the San Jose Firefighters responded to reports of a blaze in a vacant two-story Victorian structure at 156 East St. John Street in downtown San Jose.

Upon arrival Firefighters were up against intense fire conditions with flames erupting from the basement and blowing through the roof. Incident Commander Jim Stunkel (Battalion 1B) immediately declared a defensive operation as the roof caved in and the back exterior wall of the structure collapsed. Flames spread into the adjacent structure's attic. Without delay Firefighters quickly extinguished and saved that structure from further damage.

Constructed in 1881 the building served as the home of former San Jose Mayor Sherman Houghton, and his wife Eliza Donner Houghton. Eliza was a survivor of the legendary Donner Party. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Posted by: CA Craig Schwinge SJFD PIO
Submitted by: CA Alberto Olmos E26B

Red Flag Warning Firefighters on Patrol

2007-07-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

The National Weather Service has upgraded a fire weather watch that was issued for the Bay Area this morning into a red flag warning today due to the increased chance of dry lightning.

Normally, precipitation would put out any sparks from lighting during a storm. Dry lightning, strikes without any accompanying rain, usually in the hills or mountains. Several major fires still burning in California were caused by dry lightning.

Dry lightning strikes occur when the air next to the ground is very dry and the bottoms of thunderstorms are more than 10,000 feet above the ground, which causes the rain falling from the storms to evaporate before it hits the ground.

As a precaution, the San Jose Fire Department has staffed extra personnel and equipment to patrol critical fire areas in the East Foothills and Almaden Hills. These Firefighters will be patrolling from 10am to 10pm today and possibly tomorrow depending on the weather conditions.

Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer
Submitted by: Captain, Curtis Jacobson, San Jose Fire Department

Surviving the Heat

2007-07-06T10:29:00.001-07:00

Heat Related Safety Tips

Never leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle: San Jose Fire Department wants to remind everyone that leaving a child unattended in a vehicle can have devastating consequences. Caregivers should be particularly vigilant about children's safety on days when temperatures rise.

Drink Plenty of Fluids: During hot weather, you need to drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty—as much as two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour. Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.

Stay Cool Indoors: The best way to beat the heat is to stay in a cool area. If you do not have an air conditioner, consider a visit to a shopping mall, movie theatre, or public library for a few hours. A cool shower or bath also can cool you off. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day, usually mid- to late-afternoon.

Avoid Hot Foods and Heavy Meals: Have a popsicle or other frozen treat that can be refreshing on a warm day. Eat cool or cold foods such as sandwiches and salads. Fresh vegetables and fruits generally contain water too and can help hydrate while offering a healthy snack. The key is to stay hydrated.

Use a Buddy System: The elderly, children, and individuals on certain medications should be especially prepared for the heat and the possibility of power outages. If you are vulnerable to the heat, have someone check on you twice a day during a heat wave.

Fend off food poisoning: In warm weather, careless food preparation such as an undercooked burger and improper food storage can be disastrous. Don't let an outbreak of food poisoning ruin your good time. Cook your food thoroughly.

The City of San José uses specific community centers as Cooling Centers to provide relief from the summer heat. If you need a place to cool down during extreme heat, eleven Cooling Centers will be opened in San Jose.

For detailed information on Cooling Centers visit this link: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/doc/CoolingCenterPR070507f.pdf

Posted by: Captain Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Fireworks-Safety & Injury Information

2007-06-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Fireworks are Dangerous and
Illegal in San Jose

What is the safest way to prevent fireworks injuries?

The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries is to leave fireworks displays to trained professionals.

Who is most likely to be injured?

About 60% of all fireworks-related injuries in 2005 occurred between June 18 and July 18.
During that time period: About 45% of persons injured from fireworks were children ages 14 years and younger; males were injured by fireworks more than twice as often as females; and children ages 10 to 14 years had the highest injury rate for fireworks-related injuries (Greene & Joholske 2006).
Persons who are actively participating in fireworks-related activities are more frequently injured, and sustain more severe injuries, than bystanders (Smith et al. 1996).

When do these injuries happen?

Injuries occur on and around holidays associated with fireworks celebrations, especially July 4th and New Year's Eve.

What kinds of injuries occur?

Between June 18 and July 18, 2005: Fireworks-related injuries most frequently involved hands and fingers (31%), eyes (25%), and the head and face (20%) (Greene & Joholske 2006).
More than half of the injuries were burns. Burns were the most common injury to all body parts except the eyes. In the eyes, contusions, lacerations and foreign bodies occurred more frequently (Greene & Joholske 2006).
In 2005, four persons died and an estimated 10,800 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States (Greene & Joholske 2006).
An estimated 5% of fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency departments required hospitalization (Greene & Joholske 2006).

What types of fireworks are associated with the most injuries?

Between June 18 and July 18, 2005: Firecrackers (26%), sparklers (17%), and rockets (17%) accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments (Greene & Joholske 2006).
Sparklers were associated with more than half of the estimated injuries for children under five (Greene & Joholske 2006).
Between 2000-2005, more than one third of the fireworks-related deaths involved professional devices that were illegally sold to consumers (CPSC 2006a).

How and why do these injuries occur?

Availability: In spite of federal regulations and varying state prohibitions, many types of fireworks are often accessible by the public. It is not uncommon to find fireworks distributors near state borders, where residents of states with strict fireworks regulations can take advantage of more lenient state laws.
Fireworks type: Among the various types of fireworks, some of which are sold legally in some states, bottle rockets can fly into one’s face and cause eye injuries; sparklers can ignite one’s clothing (sparklers burn at more than 1,000oF); and firecrackers can injure one’s hands or face if they explode at close range.
Being too close: Injuries may result from being too close to fireworks when they explode; for example, when someone bends over to look more closely at a firework that has been ignited, or when a misguided bottle rocket hits a nearby person.
Lack of physical coordination: Younger children often lack the physical coordination to handle fireworks safely.
Curiosity: Children are often excited and curious around fireworks, which can increase their chances of being injured (for example, when they re-examine a firecracker dud that initially fails to ignite).
Experimentation: Homemade fireworks (for example, ones made of the powder from several firecrackers) can lead to dangerous explosions (CDC 2004).

How much do these injuries cost each year?

An estimated 2,200 reported structure or vehicle fires were started by fireworks in 2004. These fires resulted in $21 million in direct property damage (Hall 2007).

For further information visit the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web-site

Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Urban InterfaceWild-land Safety Information

2007-06-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Monday, June 25, 2007, San Jose Firefighters responded to multiple wild-land fires simultaneously in Santa Clara County. As the Fire Season begins to heat up the San Jose Fire Department wants to remind our community that preparation is the key to surviving a wild-land fire.

Anyone who lives in a wild-land urban interface area should know what to do before, during, and after a fire. For tips and further information surf through our Blogspot.

What to so before the fire

-Clear a defensible space around structures, minimum 30’

-Make sure roof is made of fire resistant material

-Keep an access route clear of obstructions to and from the area

-Refer to link above for further information

What to do during the fire

-Remember your home and belonging can be replaced you can not!

-Listen to radio or television for instructions on when to evacuate

-Start preparations to evacuate early, don’t wait!

-Refer to link above for complete listing of what items to take

What to do after the fire

-Check with authorities to ensure area is safe to enter

-Look for hazards such as ash pits and burned out trees

-Check all utilities and make sure they are functioning properly

-Refer to link above for further information

Posted by: Firefighter Mike Harris E22C

Submitted by: Battalion Chief Jeff Clet B13C

San José Fire Department Participates in2007 Int’l Safety Stand Down

2007-06-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

The San José Fire Department along with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of the IAFC announce the third International Fire and EMS Safety Stand Down, to be held the week of June 17-23, 2007.

The Stand Down theme “Ready to Respond” will focus on proper training and equipage; it will prepare Firefighters to respond to, mitigate and return home safely from an emergency incidents. Failure to remain cautious can cause routine activities to become hazardous, as has been shown in the many fire service and emergency medical service line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

It is estimated that up to 10,000 fire departments participated in last year’s Stand Down and it is anticipated that the number will increase this year as fire departments realize the importance of this event. In 2006, 105 firefighters died in the line of duty; and already this year, 47 have been lost. The purpose of the Stand Down is to reduce these deaths and injuries by calling attention to safety practices and improving them. Stand downs have been used by the military for years to correct issues that have been identified as a problem throughout the ranks.

Departments will have access to resources, including a detailed schedule of events, lessons learned, safety reports, links to firefighter health and wellness programs and a chief’s guide to planning and outreach.

Posted by: Captain Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

CPR/ First Aid / AED Training

2007-06-11T12:43:00.001-07:00

CPR/ First Aid / AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Training

Taught by San Jose Firefighters and certified
by the American Heart Association

To Register please call the San Jose Fire Department at 408.277.4084

When: 2nd Saturday of each month. Space is limited so please sign up early!

Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm It is imperative that you arrive on time

Location: 255 S. Montgomery St. San Jose, CA 95110

Fee: $17.00 – Cash or Check Please make checks payable to

The City of San Jose

Payment is due Prior to class

Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

Submitted by: San Jose Fire Department EMS Division

Two Story Structure Fire in EvergreenTIER IV Fire Communications HillTwo-Alarm Fire in Willow Glen

2007-05-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

At about 9:30am this morning (Wednesday, May 23, 2007) San Jose Firefighters were dispatched to a fire in a two story house at 4299 Littleworth Way in the Evergreen area of San Jose. Upon Arrival Firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames coming out of the second story. Firefighters immediately deployed attack lines and made an aggressive interior attack on the fire. While on the second floor Firefighters encountered thick black smoke and extreme heat, however managed to battled their way to the seat of the fire and began extinguishment. Although no one appeared to be home at the time of the fire, San Jose Fire Captain James Cowen rescued two dogs from the structure. (End)

Just after 11:00am on Monday, May 21, 2007 San Jose Firefighters responded to several reports of a grass fire on Communications Hill. First arriving units reported a fast moving 500 x 500 feet grass fire. The wind driven fire quickly overwhelmed the initial compliment of Firefighters and equipment. Immediately a Tier II was called, plus a Structure Response to protect nearby homes. The incident escalated to a TEIR IV including Mutual Aid from Cal-Fire. A total of 72 Firefighters were used to bring the blaze under control. This included 26 Fire apparatus from San Jose, six apparatus, two helicopters, and a bulldozer from Cal-Fire.

The fire blackened approximately 25 acres and threatened multiple homes on Communications Hill. Firefighters were strategically placed between the fire and homes. There were no injuries reported and the incident was delared under control at 1311 hours. Fire Cause Investigators believe the fire may have been caused by a homeless person cooking. (End)

On Saturday, May 12, 2007 just after 4 p.m. San Jose Firefighters responded to several reports of a house fire at 1033 Lincoln Ave in the Willow Glen area of San José. En-route several units reported heavy smoke could be seen from blocks away. Upon arrival Truck Company 4 reported heavy flames and smoke from the rear of the unit. A second alarm was called at 1614 hours.

It took Firefighters over an hour to completely extinguish the fire and declare it under control. Preliminary damage to the structure is estimated to be 4.5K. There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. (End)

Submitted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer
Photos submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department

2007 Wild-land Fire Season Starts Early

2007-05-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

San José Firefighters extinguished the region's first significant wild-land blaze of the year on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Under the direction of Battalion Chief Michael Ayala, multiple Wild-land Engine Companies fought the fire from numerous sides to bring the fire under control.

The wind driven vegetation fire erupted at approximately 2:11 PM and swept in a southerly direction threatening nearby homes prompting a three-alarm response for additional Firefighters and equipment. Firefighters with hose-lines were strategically placed between the homes and the fire to protect lives and property.

While the fire did not damage homes in the area between Nieman Boulevard and Yerba Buena Road, this early blaze serves to remind residents of the critical need to create a defensible space of 100ft around their homes as fire season approaches.

Use the three “R’s” to assist you in creating a defensible space around your home:

Removal: This technique involves the elimination of entire plants, particularly trees and shrubs, from the site. Examples of removal are cutting down a dead tree or cutting out a flammable shrub.

Reduction: The removal of plant parts, such as branches or leaves constitute reduction. Examples of reduction are pruning dead wood from a shrub, removing low tree branches, and cutting down dried grass.

Replacement: Replacement is substituting hazardous vegetation with less flammable plants. Removal of a dense stand of flammable shrubs and planting an irrigated, well maintained flower bed is an example of replacement.

Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

Photos submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department

Firefighters Respond to Rattle Snake Bite

2007-04-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 7, 2007 just after 4:00 PM, Santa Clara County Park Ranger Lisa Pappanastos requested 911 medical assistance for an adult male who was bitten by a rattlesnake at Joseph D Grant Ranch County Park. Grant Ranch Park is located high above San Jose in the Diablo Range. Emergency services are provided by the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE) with San Jose Fire assisting on mutual aid requests. Grant Ranch is located 8 miles up from Alum Rock Rd. on the steep and winding Mount Hamilton Rd.

Upon receiving a request for assistance, San Jose Engine Company 2, AMR Ambulance 653, and a CDF (CAL FIRE) responded to 18405 Mount Hamilton Road (Grant Ranch Park). Due to the extended response, Engine 2 personnel requested an Air Ambulance to expedite patient transport. CalStar 2 was immediately dispatched and in the air at 4:17. San Jose Fire Battalion Chief Cliff Hubbard responded and assumed incident command.

Upon arrival Engine 2 personnel met Park Ranger Pappanastos who was providing basic first aid. San Jose Firefighter Joe Ysselstein quickly assessed the patient and provided advanced life support care. AMR 653 and CalStar 2 arrived shortly after Engine 2. CalStar 2 identified a safe landing zone about a quarter mile from the patient. The patient was stabilized and loaded into the ambulance then shuttled to CalStar 2 at the landing zone.

CalStar 2 Air Ambulance 'hot loaded' the critically injured patient and flew him from Grant Ranch Park to the nearest trauma center.

Posted by: Captain Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer
Submitted by: Battalion Chief Cliff Hubbard, Battalion 2B

The America’s Fire Heroes Whistle-Stop Tour

2007-04-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

The America’s Fire Heroes Whistle-Stop Tour is intended to educate and provide information to the public and firefighters on how personal responsibility and action are key to preventing fires and fire-related casualties.

The Tour is scheduled to make 20 stops across the United States. It began in San Francisco yesterday April 5th and will conclude in Boston on May 12th. Presentations regarding the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, Everyone Goes Home program and the Courage to Be Safe...So Everyone Goes Home training will be directed at the firefighter audience.

An important part of these presentations is the Untold Story of the Survivors in their own words. The names of all Firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty since 1981 are scribed on the bus.

Firefighter Jason Krassow points to the name of Novato Firefighter Steven Rucker who gave his life during the San Diego Fire Storm on October 29, 2003.

Captain Mark McCormack, SCCFD

San Jose Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld points to the name of San Jose Fire Engineer William Anger who gave his life returning from a call on February 21, 1981.

The Tour made a spontaneous stop in San Jose and visited several Fire Stations. They were hosted for dinner by the crew at Fire Station 1 and had an opportunity to meet with San Jose Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld.

Submitted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer
Photos submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department

Level 1 Activation of the S.C. CountyEMS Multi-Patient-Management-Plan

2007-03-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 10:22 AM, 4 Companies of San Jose Firefighters, 1 SJFD Rescue Medic Ambulance, 1 EMS Captain and 2 Battalion Chief Officers, under the direction of Battalion Chief Stewart McGehee, responded to a multiple vehicle accident on SB 880 South of Brokaw Rd. Upon arrival Firefighters quickly discovered a silver Honda SUV on the center divide up against the "K-Rail", a full size Dodge Pick-Up on its side off the shoulder and an Audi sedan down the embankment. Chief McGehee requested a Level One activation of the Santa Clara County EMS Multi-Patient-Management-Plan. This request automatically dispatched four American Medical Response (AMR) Ambulances and a Supervisor to the scene. Firefighters came to the immediate medical aid of seven patients that were injured as a result of the vehicle collision. AMR transported 5 patients to local trauma centers and two patients refused transport.

SJFD Firefighters and AMR personnel worked in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol to successfully manage the incident.

Submitted by: Battalion Chief, Kevin Conant, B1A
Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD PIO

East San Jose Strip Mall Destroyed by Fire

2007-02-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

Shortly before 5:00 a.m., Sunday, February 18, 2007, units of San Jose Fire Department's Battalion 2; under the direction of Battalion Chief Cliff Hubbard, responded to a report of fire in a multi-unit, single-story, concrete tilt-up strip mall at 1969 Tully Road in East San Jose.

Upon arrival Engine Company 16, led by Captain Angela Jacobs, reported heavy smoke conditions from the front of the structure. A second-alarm was immediately called due to the rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Truck Company 3, led by Captain Barry Franchi, laddered and ventilated the structure while additional companies entered the interior of the building and began to pull ceiling in an attempt to extinguish fire that had spread into the attic.

As the fire advanced throughout the building crews were ordered to vacate the roof and interior to assume defensive operations. A third-alarm was called only minutes later bringing the total number of Firefighters on scene to approximately 80.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down approximately one hour into the event with the aid of three master streams from Trucks 2, 3 and 18. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department
Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

150 Residents Displaced by Four-Alarm Fire

2007-02-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

A four alarm fire in south San Jose displaced 150 residents from the Santa Teresa Apartments located at 6250 Santa Teresa Blvd. The fire broke out at approximately 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2007. A total of 25 Fire Units of the San Jose Fire Department responded to the blaze.

The initial '911' call reported black smoke coming from the building. Upon arrival Engine 27 reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the facade roof area of a three-story apartment complex. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the fire by taking hand-lines up the stairwell into the third floor. Once on the third floor Firefighters broke through the ceiling sheetrock and attempted to extinguish the fire in the attic.

San Jose Fire Department Safety Officer,
Battalion Chief Robert Sapien carries a rescued pet form the building

As Engine Company Firefighters were attempting to extinguish the attic fire, Truck Company Firefighters were simultaneously going door to door evacuating residents from the building. With fire sweeping quickly through the attic of the structure, a fourth alarm was requested, summoning a total of approximately 100 firefighters to the scene to contend with evacuation and fire suppression duties. Firefighters rescued numerous pets including dogs, cats and birds. There were no reports of any injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The blaze was declared under control at 8:46 p.m., after four and a half hour’s of labor intensive Firefighting. Residents that needed emergency housing were transported via VTA buses to the Southside Community Center where the American Red Cross, City of San Jose and Santa Clara County Housing Departments provided emergency assistance. District 2 City Councilmember Forest Williams, San Jose Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld and San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis were in attendance at the Community Center in support of the displaced residents.

Submitted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

Photos submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department

Blaze Guts San Jose Strip Mall

2007-02-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

Just before 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2007, San Jose Firefighters responded to a report of a restaurant fire in west San Jose at 1132 South De Anza Blvd.

Upon arrival, Engine Company 15 discovered heavy fire conditions with flames through the roof of a multi-unit strip mall. Firefighters immediately requested a second and third-alarm to contend with the rapidly spreading blaze.

Under the direction of the Incident Commander, Battalion Chief Ivan Lee and Operations Section Chief Jim Stunkel, defensive strategies were initiated including the deployment of two ladder pipes, multiple large diameter hand lines, one portable monitor, and Engine 10's deck gun.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the structure of origin, while protecting exposures on two side of the complex, one to the east (Charlie-side) and one to the south (Delta-side), from sustaining any damage. The fire was declared under control in just over two hours after the first units arrived on scene.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

Submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department