SAN JOSE FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 230
August 23rd, 2018   
     
IN THE NEWS
  
Crews Battle Three-Alarm House Fire Burning in East San Jose
SAN JOSE - Fire crews battled a three-alarm fire at two homes in East San Jose.
The fire was burning at 1536 Cathay Drive, near where Highway 101 and Intestate 680 intersect. The flames spread to a second adjacent home in the neighborhood between Story Road and Ocala Avenue and near Clyde L. Fischer Middle School.
No injuries were reported, but 18 people were displaced from the two homes affected by the flames.  (video)       NBC Bay Area          

      
Fire Ignites at Homeless Encampment Off of Highway 87 Near San Jose Airport     SAN JOSE -  Firefighters battled a brush fire that ignited at a homeless encampment off of southbound Highway 87 near Mineta San Jose International Airport. The fire marks the latest in a number of homeless encampment blazes that have taxed the resources of the San Jose Fire Department in recent time. A battalion chief said firefighters respond to at least five homeless encampment fires on a daily basis. (video)      NBC Bay Area    Mercury News

  
Nine San Jose Fire Fighters join Task Force 3 as they head to Hawaii in advance of Hurricane Lane

MENLO PARK - Three dozen Peninsula firefighters are heading to Hawaii ahead of Hurricane Lane, currently a Category 5.  In addition to the 36 members of Task Force 3, nine military pallets of equipment, loaded with over 40,000 pounds of search-and-rescue equipment, are on the way to Hawaii.   KRON4

R EMEMBERING OUR 
FALLEN BROTHERS & 
SISTERS

Tom Davis (Ret.)
Fire Engineer
Retired 2-5-1998
Deceased: 6-23-2018
Thomas A. Gianatasio (Ret.)
Fire Captain
Retired 2009
Deceased: 6-10-2018
William J. Stout 
Chaplin
Deceased: 3-14-2018
Pete Lovier (Ret.)
Fire Engineer
Retired 2003
Deceased: 1-2-2018
Dan Bourbon (Ret.)
Battalion Chief
Retired 1993
Deceased: 2017
Gerald A Hubbard (Ret.)
Fire Captain
Retired 2-5-1986
Deceased: 8-19-2017
Oliver Anastacio (Ret.)
Fire Fighter
Retired: 8-8-1972
Deceased: 8-15-2017
Edward N. Silva (Ret.)
Fire Captain
Retired: 10-3-1973
Deceased: 7-26-2017
Bob Currall  (Ret.)
Fire Fighter
Retired: 12-3-1993
Deceased: 7-19-2017
John Whitaker (Vol)
Fire Associates of 
Silicon Valley
Deceased: 7-11-2017

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

VIDEO - 3rd Alarm Fire
1500 blk Cathay Dr. 
One home was completely involved and the two adjacent homes suffered fire damage. 18 people were displaced including 8 children.
Csmeadphotography


INSTAGRAM   #SJFD



SJFD MEDIA PARTNERS

Chris Smead


Craig Rose



UPCOMING EVENTS
BAY AREA FIREFIGHTER NETWORK MEETING
Wednesday Sept. 5th

San Jose Fire Museum
10-2pm



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Fire on I-280 at Meridian Avenue in San Jose threatens structures
SAN JOSE - A brush fire on southbound Interstate 280 closed the off-ramp after a fire broke out near the Meridian Avenue off-ramp. There are heavy smoke and fire in the area.  Structures are also threatened as a result of the fire.  (video)    KRON4     Mercury News  
  

FIREHOUSE NATIONAL RUN SURVEY



Busiest Engine  #20 Engine 26 - 5,301


Firehouse Magazine compares statistics about company and department levels, funding, staffing and pay. A total of 258 fire departments took part in this year's survey, representing 48 states, the District of Columbia and 2 Canadian provinces. The departments represented in this latest survey protect 90,245,453 people, and they have budgets totaling more than $18.3 billion. 

Part 1 compares statistics about company and department levels, funding, staffing and pay.   Firehouse Magazine

Part 2 looks at Total Calls, Busiest Engines and Busiest Ladder companies.   Firehouse Magazine

Total Calls - #35 San Jose Fire Department 97,228 
Busiest Engine #20 Engine 26 - 5,301
Busiest Truck -  #46 Truck 1 ,2504

Part 3 looks at Busiest Chiefs, Stations and Specialty Units
Firehouse Magazine

Busiest Chiefs  #168. Battalion 1 - 508
Busiest Stations  #62  Station 26 - 10,173
Busiest Haz-Mat  #21 HIT 29 - 416
Busiest Heavy Rescue #65 USAR 35 - 1,138

  
Firefighters Battle Single-Alarm Fire in San Jose

SAN JOSE - San Jose Fire Department crews battled a   single-alarm fire at a commercial structure. The blaze broke out at Cafe Paradise located at 2400 Monterey Rd. (video) NBC Bay Area
   Mercury 
  
San Jose Firefighter bitten by dog
SAN JOSE - A dog bit a firefighter while being rescued from a two-alarm house fire  in the Silver Creek neighborhood. 
The flames quickly spread to another home, heavily damaging both, the fire department reported   Mercury News

USAR RESCUE
  
SJFD - 10 Hour Rescue of lost hikers 
San Jose Fire Fighters led by our Urban Search & Rescue team as well as SJ Park Rangers, Spring Valley Firefighters, CalStar and the Coast Guard worked in black out conditions throughout the night and morning to find, stabilize and lift to safety these lost but lucky hikers.  Patch


      
House Fire in San Jose Displaces Five People, Two Dogs

SAN JOSE -  5 people and two dogs were displaced  after a two-alarm fire destroyed their residence on  Singletary Avenue. It was deemed a second alarm when San Jose Fire Department arrived due to the amount of smoke and reports of people trapped inside.  The home's five occupants, all adults, had managed to get out safely along with their dogs. No one was injured by the fire, but Animal Control was called to the scene because the dogs started fighting outside the house.    NBC Bay Area


  
San Jose Firefighters reunited with baby Frankie 
In the early morning hours of July 31st, your San Jose Fire Fighters from Engine 24 (Yerba Buena Rd) were called to help a mom in labor. One of the most rewarding of the tens of thousands of EMS calls we responded to annually. Today the Rocha family returned to say thanks and have a more formal introduction with baby Frankie at the Fire House. Congratulations to mom, baby Frankie and the Rocha family!     @sanjosefirefighters INSTAGRAM

      
LOCAL NEWS
     
Santa Clara County Fire Chief retires, reflects on changes during 31-year career

Santa Clara County Fire Department Chief Kenneth R. Kehmna will retire on Aug. 12 after almost 31 years of service, much of it during some of the most devastating fires in the area.  Mercury News
  
     
South Bay Chief Outraged Over Verizon Throttling Of Data For Fire Crews
A Bay Area fire chief made a stunning claim accusing Verizon of putting his wildfire crews and the public in danger when the company slowed down their data as they battled the Mendocino Complex Fire. According to claims by the Santa Clara County Fire Department's chief, Verizon slowed the speed of department's data plan as his crews were in the midst of fighting the largest wildfire in state history   CBS5
  
      
CALIFORNIA NEWS
     
San Jose State climate scientists gathering data to forecast wildland fire behavior

SAN JOSE - Climate scientists have moved into the state's burn zones with a goal to help firefighters to anticipate and prepare for erratic behavior of wildfires. Computer simulations will help do this, but it's estimated it may take five years of data gathering to achieve that.    KGO

TWITTER


249 Nights Away at California Fires: Firefighter Families Cope With a 'New Normal'
Melissa Morgado began 2018 trying to solve an arithmetic problem: How many nights did she and her firefighter husband spend apart because of work in the previous year? He was gone for the hot summer months, of course, and again for most of October, and then 19 more days in December when deadly fires broke out on the Central Coast. Her tally hit 249 nights, the most she and her husband spent apart in his 14 years at Cal Fire.   GovTech
For $1 an hour, inmates fight California fires. 'Slave labor' or self-improvement?

On the front lines of some of the deadliest fires raging in California, professional firefighters are working alongside prison inmates with one key difference: pay.
Cal Fire firefighters make at least $10.50 an hour and inmates make only $2 a day plus $1 an hour.    San Diego Union Tribune
      
NATIONAL NEWS
Houston city council puts firefighter pay parity measure on November ballot

HOUSTON, TX - Voters in November will choose whether to grant firefighters pay "parity" with police of corresponding rank and seniority.  After weeks of wrangling over the issue - including angry debates, rare legislative maneuvers and allegations of electioneering - the city council voted unanimously Wednesday to place the proposal before voters Nov. 6.     
Houston Chronicle
      
MUTIAL AID RESPONSES

8.6.18  Santa Clara County Fire
HWY 152 @ Watsonville Rd - 2 HOURS
Wildland Task Force - Battalion 13, Engine 27/627, Engine 24/624, Engine 18/WT18, Engine 35

8.6.18 Santa Clara County Fire 
County fire made an in county Mutual Aid request for a Type 1 Strike Team 2302-A. San Jose Fire sent E35 to fulfill the request. All San Jose units were back in service at 2129 hours.

8.6.18 Santa Clara County Fire
Wildland Task Force. Battalion 13,  Engine 24/624 (1 Hour), Engine 18/WT18 (5-Hours), Engine 35. Station Backfill - Engine 27/627 (3-Hours)

      
 
   
     SIGNIFICANT SAN JOSE     
            FIRE INCIDENTS 

           First Due      San Jose Council District  
 

8.3.18   Georgetta Dr    Station 9    SJ District 6
Report of a house fire along with a report of a fire alarm activation from an alarm company at the same address. A Full 1st   Alarm was dispatched and the first arriving unit on scene confirmed fire from the 2nd  story eaves. The fire was knocked down after 25 minutes hours and placed under control after 1  hour. 

8.4.18   S 34th St           
Station 16  District 5
Full 1st response to reports of a building on fire at PAL Stadium. Engine 16 arrived to the Foothills Mobilodge and RV Park reporting heavy fire coming from a travel trailer with extension to the attic of the Mobil home. Knock down on the fire was advised after 45 minutes.  Red Cross was contacted for 6 displaced people. 

 
SEARCH & RESCUE - 10 HOUR

8.4.18  Sierra
 Rd   
Station 19   SJ District 4
Fire Communications received a call from two hikers, reporting that one had a seizure. When trying to narrow down the patient's location, the RP reported they entered through a cattle gate and went down a trail, but they were unsure where they were currently at. They said they were hiking for 2 hours, and one of the patients had a seizure and fell off the trail down the mountain. Alum Rock Park Rangers were notified, and they tried to pinpoint the location of the hikers based on what they were seeing around them. The call taker had the patient go on their phone and read off the latitude and longitude of their location, while the radio dispatcher used that information to narrow down the location of the patients. CalStar 2 was requested to help find the patients. The USAR Taskforce was requested due to the patients reportedly falling down the side of the mountain, and Spring Valley assisted the rangers along the trails. CalStar 2 located the patients at 2245 hours. E619 and USAR 34 made patient contact at 0051 hours and the patients were successfully airlifted by the Coast Guard from their positions by 0513 hours and transported to a local hospital via ground ambulances.    All SJFD units were expected to be clear from the event by 0800 hours.  (VIDEO ABOVE)

8.6.18  
Scottsdale Dr    Station 31    District 8 
  
Single engine to a report of fire in the creek. The call was upgraded to a structure response after a caller reported that the fire was threatening a structure. The first arriving unit reported a 20x20 fire at a slow moving rate and multiple spot fires in the area. The fire was knocked down and placed under control after 40 minutes. 

8.7.18   
Sweetleaf Ct  Station 31    District 8 
Multiple calls reporting a fire on the 2nd  floor of a house.  A Full First was dispatched and the first arriving unit reported smoke and fire showing from the 2nd  floor of the structure.  The fire was knocked down and under control after 1 hour.  One occupant was transported to a local hospital.

 
8.9.18  Gold St    Station 25  SJ District 4
Full 1st response to reports of smoke coming from a mobile home at Summerset Mobile Estates. Units arrived on scene advising smoke coming from the front door and active fire in the living room. Fire was placed under control after 50 minutes.  Animal Control responded for medical for 2 dogs. Red Cross responded for 4 adults and 1 dog displaced.

  
8.10.18   Meridian @ 280    
    Station 4  SJ District 6
Multiple calls reporting a fire in the area of Meridian at 280. Engine 10 was dispatched, and requested Engine 4 to respond to the surface streets due to reports of the fire on both sides of the sound wall. E10 arrived and reported a 20x20 fire that was jumping the sound wall. They requested the call be upgraded to a TIER and quickly requested the 3 closest engines as well as a water tender company, eventually totaling 5 Engines and 2 Water Tenders. Arson was advised, and Cal Trans responded to help with the overhaul clean up on the off ramp and onramp. The fire was and under control after 4 hours.

8.11.18   San Felipe Rd    Station 11  SJ District 8
San Jose Fire Communications dispatched an I/Zone response after receiving a call reporting and outside fire around 3 miles south of this intersection.  Engine 11 advised that there was a massive glow in the distance and requested a Tier.  CALfire was advised as this location is a state response area.  Calfire was able to send personnel but did not have staffing to take then event on their channel. The fire was under control after 1.5 hours 


SECOND ALARM

8.12.18   Pomona Way  Station 3   SJ District 7
Two calls reporting a vacant house on fire.  The first arriving fire unit reported a house fully involved; the call was upgraded to a 2nd  Alarm.  The fire was knocked down after 30 minutes. Red Cross to assist the displaced resident from a home that was exposed to the original house on fire.  Animal Control was requested for a cat that was successfully resuscitated, board up to secure the residence and the Arson Investigator for suspicious circumstances. No injuries (other than the cat) and all appropriate notifications were made.


8.12.18        SB 101        Station 26   SJ District 7 
A RESCUE response, B2, E16, E26, T16 and MED30, were dispatched to a report from the California Highway Patrol that a single vehicle had rolled over.  E16 arrived and found a 3 vehicle accident scene with multiple trapped victims in the vehicle.  E24/E624 and T2 were special requested to assist at the scene.  A level 1 Ambulance Task Force plus two additional ambulances, for a total of five, were requested.  All victims were extricated and the incident was placed under control after 50 minutes.


8.13.18  Ravens Pl       Station 7  SJ District 24
Full 1st  response to a report of a house on fire. The first arriving unit reported heavy fire from the Delta side of the building. A 2nd  Alarm was called. Patients were treated on scene.


FIVE ENGINE RESPONSE

8.15.18   
NB 87         Station 3  SJ District 3
San Jose Fire Communications dispatched a single engine to reports of a fire in the creek. The first arriving unit reported ½ an acre that had burned and requested an extra engine. A total of 5 engines and a BC were dispatched to this call. San Jose PD assisted with a possible suspect. Caltrain assisted with shutting down the tracks. Arson was also notified. All units were cleared and back in service after 2 hours. (VIDEO ABOVE)

SF BAY RESCUE

8.19.19  Alviso Marina       Station 25  SJ District 4
Communications received a call from the Coast Guard San Francisco inquiring whether or not San Jose Fire had a small boat that could access this area since the water was too shallow for their vessels.  After making contact with the USAR Captain, Communications dispatched the USAR with their rescue boat.  There were 3 occupants stranded on the boat with no medical emergencies.   All SJ units were back in service after 3.5 hours.


8.20.18  Cornwall Dr.    Station 5  SJ District 21
Multiple calls reporting a house on fire. The first arriving fire unit reported an exterior fire that breached the garage of the structure.  The fire was knocked down and under control after 30 minutes. 


THIRD ALARM 

8.20.18  Cathay Dr   Station 16  SJ District 5 
Full first response after receiving reports of a garage on fire.  Engine 16 arrived on scene and reported a fully involved fire with one exposure also catching on fire and requested a 2nd  alarm.  T he fire was knocked down and under control after 1.5 hours. 

8.22.18 Singletary Ave      Station 7    SJ District 6
Full First response after receiving reports of a house on fire. While still en-route we received more reports that the fire was spreading to another house. B1 requested a 2nd 
alarm.  Engine 7 arrived on scene reporting a working fire.  Red Cross was requested for 5 displaced individuals. Animal control was requested for 2 dogs with self-inflicted injuries.

8.22.18   S. 6th St.    Station 3   SJ District 3
One call from the site reporting a fire from the drawer under the oven. A structure response was dispatched. The first unit arrived on scene and reported smoke from the charlie-delta corner. The balance of the Full 1st response was dispatched. PGE was requested, as well as a precautionary ambulance. 


8.22.18 Monterey Rd Station 26  SJ District 7
Full First response after receiving a report of a restaurant on fire.    E26 arrived on scene and reported a working roof fire.    The fire was knocked down under control after 1 hour.  




San Jose Firefighters Local 230| | spanner@sjff.org

ABOUT US:
Local 230 is the labor organization of the proud men and women that serve as Firefighters protecting the City of San Jose.  The members of the San Jose Fire Department rely on Local 230 to focus on the well being and safety of those that protect the lives of others. For more information, visit  www.sjff.org .



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