Fire Strikes South San José Home

Just before 4:00 AM, July 5, 2009 units of the San Jose Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 6484 Cranbrook Court on the city's south side. Upon their arrival, first due Engine Company 22 discovered heavy fire conditions throughout the three-story home. After stretching an attack line, and entering the structure through the front door, firefighters were driven back by the intense heat and smoke leading to a defensive operation.

According to the occupants smoke detectors alerted them to the blaze allowing all four to escape without injury, including two small dogs. Unfortunately the home and most of its contents were a complete loss.

Approximately 50 firefighters, under the direction of Incident Commander Kevin Conant, Operations Chief Paul Schuller, and Department Safety Officer Jaun Diaz, were able to prevent the flames that had engulfed much of the home from spreading to adjacent structures.

One firefighter was injured and transported to an area hospital after being struck by a ladder on his left hip. The firefighter is expected to be released from the hospital today.

It is believed that the cause of the fire was accidental.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

SJFD Makes Quick Work of Commercial Blaze

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at approximately 11:32 PM, units of the San Jose Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at Aramark Uniform Services located at 855 Mckendrie Street. The initial call came from a passing train crew and was followed by several additional calls prompting a greater alarm response.

Firefighters arrived to find multiple delivery vehicles, laundry containers, and one shipping container ablaze, with no extension to the large adjacent warehouse. Under the direction of Battalion Chief Kevin Conant firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and prevented the fire from spreading to additional vehicles.

There were no injuries and the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

San Jose Firefighters Extinguish Fatal House Fire

During the early morning hours of February 1, 2009, units of the San Jose Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire in a residential neighborhood in the northeast area of the city. After fighting the flames for over an hour firefighters discovered the body of an 86-year-old male victim on the first floor of the home.

Upon their arrival, just after 2:50 A.M., firefighters discovered a structure with fire blowing out of multiple second-story windows. Battalion Chief Michael Ayala (B-2B) struck a second alarm and ordered firefighters to vacate the second floor of the home to initiate an aggressive exterior attack and prevent the fire from spreading to unaffected areas of the home.

Firefighters were able to successfully prevent the fire from spreading to large portions of the home, while also protecting exposures. The fire was contained within an hour and declared under control just over an hour later at approximately 5:00 A.M.

Units responding to the fire included first due Truck Company 2, Engine Company 2 and Battalion 2 (Ayala). Additional companies working the incident were Engine 19, Engine 23, Engine 8, Engine 30, USAR Company 5, USAR Company 16, HIT 29, Battalion 1 (Stunkle), Battalion 29 (Schuller), Safety (Diaz), Deputy Chief Reed, Air Unit 6, MED 30, and PIO (Stallard).

Preliminary damage estimates have been set at over $300,000 and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Submitted by: SJFD Photographer, Craig Allyn Rose

Third Alarm Fire in San Jose East Foothills

Wednesday, December 9, 2008 – San Jose Firefighters responded to several reports of a house fire at 1088 Wheat Court in the east foothills of San Jose. Engine 21 Captain, Eric Hernandez reported heavy smoke visible from the station. Upon arrival Engine 21 was confronted with a fully involved two story single family residence and immediately requested a second alarm. Incident Commander, Battalion Chief Ivan Lee, requested a third alarm shortly thereafter. Due to reports of someone trapped inside the home, Firefighters went into rescue mode and made an aggressive offensive attack on the fire. Firefighters deployed multiple attack lines through the front door and battled extreme heat before getting driven back by untenable conditions. Fortunately, there was no one in the structure. One Firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and further evaluation.

The Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley responded to the incident and provided San Jose Firefighters with nutritional support including, water, sports drinks, energy bars, and coffee. The incident was reported under control at 17:30 hours. Preliminary damage estimate is $500,000. Fire Cause Investigators were on scene conducting interviews and have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Posted by: CA Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Congratulations!2008 San Jose Fire DepartmentFirefighter Recruit Class

Congratulations to the new San Jose Fire Deparment Recruit Class of 2008! They have just graduated from the 18 week fire academy on November 13, 2008 at city hall council chambers. 24 new firefighters will hit the streets and their new assignments on Monday the 17th. Oh by the way they are all paramedics too. Good Luck!!

The Graduation was filled with cheers from the audience as the program proceeded. The ceremony was hosted by Captain Colleen Mulholand. Featured guests were Father Stout, Mayor Chuck Reed, Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld, and Battalion Chief Phil Croyle.

They all separately spoke about the hard work and dedication during the training as well as their future as San Jose Firefighters. All of the new Firefighters had family and friends pin on their new badges. The ceremonial fire helmet presentation followed in the City Hall Rotunda.

Posted by: CA Scott Kouns, E34B

Join SJFD in the 2008San Jose Holiday ParadeDecember 7, 8:30am

The San Jose Holiday Parade, one of the largest parades in Northern California, is an event with San Jose Fire Department apparatus, several giant helium balloons, over two dozen marching bands, creative floats, dozens of specialty units, clowns, and Santa Claus.

The parade will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 8:30am, in Downtown San Jose and will be televised live on NBC11 at 9:00am. Following the parade will be a "Parade Fest" with special guests and fun entertainment. Parade Fest will be located at San Jose Christmas in the park.

Posted by: CA Scott Kouns, E34B

San Jose Fire ChiefHonored in San Jose Magazine

San Jose Magazine 2008 - Darryl Von Raesfeld can remember feeling awestruck as a kindergartner when he took the red plastic helmet from a Santa Clara firefighter visiting his school and placed it atop his head. Little did the youngster know how the surge of pride he felt then would be magnified when he graduated from the fire academy and pinned his badge on for the first time or that one day he would be leading the San Jose Fire Department as its Fire Chief.

Read entire article on line at San Jose Magazine

Posted by: CA Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

San Jose Fire DepartmentVTA Emergency Response Drill

The San Jose Fire Department and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) had its annual Fire, Life & Safety full-scale drill last Tuesday, October 28, 2008. This training exercise gave first responders the opportunity to practice emergency preparedness and response prior to an actual emergency incident. The training was held along the Almaden Line, just south of the Ohlone/Chynoweth Light Rail Station.

The goal of the drill was to practice emergency response during an incident where VTA experiences a light rail accident. This scenario required the use of revised techniques and close coordination between several agencies using the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). The exercise allowed agencies to learn more about each others resources and capabilities, while providing hands on training and safety for all emergency responders.

Participating San Jose Fire Department companies were E12, E13, T13, B13, and Med-30.

Posted by: CA Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO