Firefighters Respond to the Need of Firefighters Widow

Recently it was brought to the attention of San Jose Fire Captain Jose Guerrero that the home of a deceased San Jose Fire Department member, Arson Investigator Booker T. Law's widow, Mary Law, was in much need of maintenance and repair. Jose visited Mary and enjoyed a long conversation with her on August 1, 2006. After the conversation Captain Guerrero was compelled to do something. Jose stated "she is an awesome lady with a huge heart and we want to do something for her in memory of our beloved friend Booker T. Law"

At the time of his death, Booker was serving the San Jose Fire Department as an Arson Investigator, and was considered a pioneer in many respects. He was the first black Firefighter to work for the San Jose Fire Department and started one of the departments first youth outreach programs.

Beginning yesterday (August 22, 2006), as many as 75 off-duty Firefighters showed up at the home of Mary Law to help Jose with his goal. The two day project demanded that crews work late into the night. The home required painting, minor repairs, landscape clean-up, fence replacement, sprinkler installation and new sod. Firefighters will continue to work late tonight to help Mary catch up on these home repairs.

L-R San Jose Fire Captain Jose Guerrero, Black Firefighters Association President Mike Baldwin, Mary Law, San Jose Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld, San Jose Firefighters Local 230 President Randy Sekany and Los Bomberos President Alberto Olmos

This is truly an example of our Firefighters exemplifying the core values of the San Jose Fire Department "Family, Integrity and Trust"

Submitted by; Captain Alberto N. Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Fire Destroys High School Classrooms and Computer Lab

Just before 9:00 PM, on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, San Jose Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at Foothill High School at 230 Pala Avenue in San Jose's Alum Rock district.

As units arrived on scene they discovered a working school fire with heavy flames and smoke engulfing the front of the educational building. Under the direction of Battalion Chief Mike Ayala, a second-alarm was struck immediately bringing additional resources to the scene as firefighters established a defensive operation. To keep the fire in check, Engine Company 2, Led by Captain Glen McGuire, deployed multiple exterior hand lines. Captain Robert Gutierrez of Truck Company 2 and Captain Brent Dickenson of Truck Company 1 directed their respective Truck Companies to execute ladder pipe operations.

Most of the roof and at least two classrooms were completely destroyed, while a third room that served as a computer lab suffered severe damage. Approximately 50 firefighters battled the blaze that was finally controlled just before 12:30 AM. According to San Jose Fire Department Captain Michael Shaw there were no injuries and the fire remains under investigation and is considered suspicious.

Submitted by; Fire Department Photographer Craig Rose

Posted by; Captain Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Living up to our motto of"Courtesy and Service with Pride"

Living up to our motto of Courtesy and Service with Pride, Firefighters at San Jose Fire Station 22 get recognized for going beyond the call of duty. The Almaden Resident, a local paper in San Jose, wrote an article about their community service.

After firefighters, including Captain, Marty Hoenisch, responded to a 911 call at the home of Almaden resident Joyce Rood, they returned to Rood's home while off duty to assemble a barbecue for her. Read the complete article By Lisa Sibley in the Almaden Resident Newspaper.

Submitted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

San Jose Fire Communications Rising to the Challenge

San Jose Fire Emergency Dispatchers continue to answer the call. During the recent heat wave SJFD Emergency Dispatchers rose to the challenge. On Sunday, July 23, 2006, when temperatures were well into triple digits dispatchers answered a total of 483 emergency calls via 911. This includes 212 calls during a 7 hour period by Watch II.

With the exception of breaks, SJFD Communications is staffed with 5 personnel at all times. These dispatchers are trained in EMS pre-arrival instructions, priority dispatch protocols and communications triage.

When asked what was the most important attribute needed to be a successful dispatcher, PSD, Lisa Stabler said, “the ability to get along with your fellow teammates”.

Submitted by; Captain Alberto N. Olmos, SJFD, PIO