35th Annual California Firefighter’s Olympics

2006 CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTER’S OLYMPICS

Starting July 16th, over 3,000 firefighters from all over the State of California will descend upon San Jose for the 35^th Annual California Firefighter’s Olympics. This family-friendly gathering promotes physical fitness competitions, and an informal forum for exchanging ideas. The San Jose Fire Department is the host agency, and San Jose Firefighters Local 230 is sponsoring this year’s event that runs from July 16-21.

The Olympics consist of 29 areas of competition that include mainstream sports such as softball and basketball, but also some unusual competitions like bass fishing, roller hockey, and paintball. The events are held all over the Bay Area, from a surfing competition in Santa Cruz to Texas Hold’em poker at the Hyatt San José – the host hotel for the event. Encouraging participation from firefighter’s families, the competition also includes a Junior Olympics for children ages 5-12, with fun activities like a bungee run and laser tag.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

In order to make this year’s Firefighter’s Olympics successful, we will need a substantial number of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to help with any of the sporting events (registration, check-in, Luau, results coordinator, or Junior Firefighter Olympics), please email FF Darren Wallace, RB13B, at olympicsvolunteers@yahoo.com

Details on individual events can be found on the 2006 Firefighter’s Olympic event schedule.

Posted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

4th of July Fireworks Safety Reminder

Fireworks Safety Reminder

A 4^th of July fireworks safety reminder from the San Jose Fire Department; There is no safe way for nonprofessionals to use fireworks. It is only safe to enjoy the splendor and excitement of fireworks at a professional display.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2004, an estimated 6,600 fireworks related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms during the one month period surrounding the Fourth of July.

• The hands were the most commonly injured body part, followed by the eyes, head & face.
• Data shows that bystanders are more often injured by fireworks than the people who set them off.
• 40 percent of the injuries were to children 15 and younger.
• Firecrackers and sparklers were the top contributors to fireworks injuries. Half the children 5 years and younger were injured from sparklers.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Commission reported that eight people were killed by fireworks-related incidents in 2004.

Fireworks are illegal in San Jose. Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed professionals.

The San Jose Fire Department would like to wish you and your family a safe and wonderful 4^th of July.

Submitted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Swimming pools can be very enjoyable; they can also be very dangerous. In fact statistics show that 300 children under age 5 die and 2,000 more children under age five visit hospital emergency rooms for submersion injuries every year.

In some of the nation's Sunbelt, drowning has been the leading cause of accidental death in the home of children under 5 years old. The information below can help parents and caregivers provide young children with the protection they deserve. Each year, nationwide, more than 300 children under 5 years old drown in residential swimming pools, usually a pool owned by their family. In addition, more than 2,000 children in that age group are treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion injures.

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

• Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of protective devices, such as door alarms and latches.
• Emphasize the need for constant supervision.
• Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
• During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated watcher" to protect young children from pool accidents.
• Adults may take turns being the "watcher."
• When adults become preoccupied, children are at risk.
• If a child is missing, check the pool first.
• Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool area.
• Do not allow a young child in the pool without an adult.
• Do not consider young children to be drown-proof because they have had swimming lessons.
• Children must be watched closely while swimming.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Babysitters and other caretakers, such as grandparents and older siblings, should also know CPR.
• Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
• Remove toys from in and around the pool when it is not in use.
• Toys can attract young children to the pool.
• Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.
  

For further home and child safety information go to the Live and Learn web-site at http://www.liveandlearn.com/learn.html
You can also visit National Kids Safe Campaign at www.usa.safekids.org

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

Firefighters Assist Alum Rock Little League

Before

On Friday, June 9, 2006, several off duty San Jose Firefighters volunteered to assist the Alum Rock Little League organization. Two weeks ago a suspicious fire destroyed a storage facility used by the Alum Rock Little League organization to store playing equipment and maintenance tools. When the President of the League, Richard Taylor, was asked if there was anything we could do to help he said “we could use some assistance in removing all the burned debris”.

After a couple of phone calls and few emails the City of San Jose Code Enforcement Division arranged for a 30 yard debris bin to be delivered to the Little League field. It took ten volunteers about three hours to completely dispose of all the charring and debris.

After

The San Jose Fire Department would like to thank the City of San Jose Code Enforcement Division, Los Bomberos of Northern California and all the volunteers for their support and dedication to our community.

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Firefighters Battle Light Flashy Fuels

On Saturday, June 3, 2006, just after noon, San Jose Firefighters responded to multiple reports of smoke in the area of Interstate Highway 280 and Story Road. Upon arrival firefighters discovered light flashy fuels burning along abandoned railroad tracks and near the towers of a local radio station.

Access to the area was challenging. Under the direction of Battalion Chief Alan Anderson, a TIER 1 (Tactically Integrated Emergency Response) was requested. The TIER 1 response brought off-road 4X4 Fire Apparatus to the scene and assisted Firefighters in getting to the seat of the fire. It took Firefighters about an hour to bring the blaze under control.
Although there was a stiff breeze, firefighters were able to limit the spread of the fire and protect nearby structures including the radio station antennas.

A total of ten units responded to this fire including 24 Firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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