Firefighters & Sharks Organization Make a Boy’s Day

On Saturday, April 12, 2006 Firefighters responded to an apartment fire in downtown San Jose. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and while performing salvage and overhaul, Fire Engineer Phil Reggiardo noticed in the charred rubble was Sharks memorabilia. After the fire, F/E Reggiardo was informed the Sharks memorabilia destroyed in the fire belonged to 12 year-old, Joey Cronin. F/E Reggiardo contacted Captain Buck Martone and discussed the possibility of replacing the Sharks items destroyed in the fire.

Last Saturday with the assistance of the Sharks organization, Fire Station 1 personnel presented Joey with various Sharks memorabilia including hockey pucks, posters and souvenirs signed by the Sharks players. Joey and his mother Diana were noticeably excited and appreciative for the kind gesture by San Jose Fire Fighters and the Sharks organization.


Toward the end of the presentation, F/E Reggiardo presented Joey and his mother with two (2) tickets to last night’s Sharks Play-off game in San Jose (Sharks won 5-4). The Sharks organization generously donated these play-off tickets. “Thank you, thank you, you guys are wonderful”, said Diana Cronin as she watched her son’s eyes grow as big as silver dollars when he heard about the tickets.

Submitted by: Captain, Jose Guerrero, SJFD

San Jose Firefighters “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes”

San Jose Firefighters participate in the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event hosted by the YWCA of Silicon Valley. Male community leaders and residents walked (in high heels) from Plaza de Cesar Chavez (in downtown San Jose) through the streets of downtown to call awareness to the problem of sexual assault in our community. It is a light-hearted way to approach a very serious issue that is the responsibility of us all. Co-Chair of the event, San Jose Fire Chief Jeffrey L. Clet supports the YWCA of Silicon Valley as it tackles issues of sexual assault and social violence.

Fire Engineer Tony Landeros accepted the “Firefighter Get Pumped Award” for sporting his 3” “Pink Pumps”. Firefighters walked in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, benefiting the YWCA's Rape Crisis Center.


This year's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes committee co-chairs included:
San Jose City Fire Chief, Jeff Clet
San Jose City Police Chief, Rob Davis
Team San Jose Board Chair and SJCVB C.E.O., Dan Fenton
Santa Clara County Director of Operations for AMR, Wayne Davis

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

DELIVERING THE SHOCK OF A LIFETIME!

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was used to successfully revive a man whose heart suddenly stopped while at the HP Pavilion at San José on Saturday, April 15th during a Sharks hockey game. The patient was given basic life support treatment and while the patient was being examined the man became unconscious. The patient showed no signs of a pulse or breathing. Several guests assisted the EMT staff in placing the man on the floor and CPR efforts were started. EMTs Lisa Cipperly and Bryan Osorio immediately applied the AED. The AED recommended and delivered an electrical shock. This shock restarted the patient’s heart, which began beating normally. The patient then became responsive, looked at EMT Osorio and inquired about the score. San Jose Fire Department and AMR crews arrived on the scene shortly after and prepared the patient for transport to a local hospital. Witnesses state that the man, a season ticket holder of 15 years, was last seen leaving the building on a gurney and giving a high punch to the air as the horn sounded off indicating another Sharks goal. This devoted Sharks fan is doing well and is anxiously awaiting the next televised Sharks Hockey Game.

The City of San Jose has a goal of becoming the most Heart Safe Big City in the United States. San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzalez and San Jose Fire Chief Jeffrey Clet enthusiastically endorse this goal. There are just fewer than 300 million people in the United States. Sadly, more than 225,000 people will die each year as a result of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). In recognition of the health threat posed by SCA, the City of San Jose embarked on an ambitious AED Program in 2001. Since then, a total of 60 AED’s have been deployed within city buildings and facilities. This PAD (Public Accesses Program) program was implemented under the auspices of the San Jose Fire Department’s EMS Division.

The rapid deployment of a large number of AED’s created a significant training and education challenge. As a result, the San Jose Fire Department established a “rapid deployment” training approach in order to assure that a sufficient number of AED/CPR providers were certified to American Heart Association guidelines during the initial rollout of the city’s PAD program. In parallel, the SJFD incorporated the physiology and treatment of SCA victims into their Community Education Program. SJFD Firefighters and the EMS Division personnel teach this program. This training is available to residents and guests of San Jose by contacting the EMS Division at 408-277-4084.

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

Second Alarm Fire in San Jose's Almaden Valley

Yesterday (April 4, 2006) at 18:43 hrs San Jose Firefighters responded to multiple reports of a house fire on Mt. Pakron Drive in south San Jose’s Almaden Valley. Heavy smoke was reported enroute by Engine 22 personnel lead by Captain, Scott Ackemann. Upon arrival Firefighters were challenged with a fully involved garage fire with flames endangering the home next door. Firefighters quickly determined nobody was in the involved house and deployed hose lines to protect the endangered home. Seconds later support units arrived and deployed hose-lines through the front door of the involved house and pushed the fire away from the living quarters to protect the home contents. Firefighters endured intense heat and smoke saving the uninvolved portion of the house. A total of 34 Firefighters including six companies and seven support units under the direction of Battalion Chief Juan Diaz brought the fire under control in just over an hour. Although there were no human casualties, two dogs, two cats and two birds perished in the fire. A preliminary report indicates the cause of the fire appears to be accidental and is still under investigation.

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

Baby Safely Surrendered at San Jose Fire Station #8

Early this morning (April 3, 2006) at 02:51am San Jose Firefighters at Station #8 were advised via 911 of a report of a baby that had been left at their Fire Station. Station #8 is located on the corner of 17th Street and Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose. Engine 8 personnel immediately exited the Station and quickly found the baby. They immediately took the baby inside the Station where the infant was examined and determined to be healthy. Firefighters commented that whoever surrendered the baby made an effort to ensure it was cared for and protected from the elements. After being treated and cared for by Firefighters, the baby was transported to a local Hospital for further evaluation.

Firefighters praised the individuals responsible for using the Safe Surrender Law and keeping the baby healthy and safe. Under the Safe Surrender Law a parent may surrender a newborn to any on-duty Firefighter or Hospital Emergency Room Employee within Santa Clara County. A parent who is unable or unwilling to care for a newborn can surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth without fear of being prosecuted, as long as the baby shows no signs of abuse or neglect. The purpose of the law is to provide a safe place for the newborn when a parent feels he or she cannot handle the responsibility. Parents who change their minds can begin the process of reclaiming their infant within 14 days.

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer, SJFD