Firefighters Save Multiple Homes from Urban Interface Fire

On Sunday, September 24, 2006, approximately one hundred San Jose Firefighters battled an urban interface wildland fire in the east foothills of San Jose. A total of 13 Engine Companies, three Truck Companies, multiple overhead staff personnel and the California Department of Forestry (CDF) coordinated to bring this blaze under control. This fire threatened homes and approached the Alum Rock Park area.

The fire, which was reported just after 3 p.m., was reported to be in the area south of Suncrest Ave. Firefighters reported smoke showing from the station and requested additional resources immediately. Upon arrival Firefighters reported a fast moving grass fire threatening multiple structures. Additional resources were requested to protect the homes and people living in them. A shelter in place order was communicated to all residents. This provided Firefighters with unobstructed roadways allowing an opportunity to strategically place Firefighters with charged fire hoses between the homes and the fire.

CDF simultaneously made precise air drops from fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters. These air drops slowed the fire significantly and allowed hand crews an opportunity to establish a line around the fire.

Fire Companies from surrounding cities including, Central (County), Milpitas, and Santa Clara City Fire Department, staffed San Jose fire stations until units were able to return to service. The incident was declared contained at 1810 hours and under control at 2043 hours. The fire was kept to 30 acres and no homes were damaged.

Submitted by: Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer

Photos submitted by: Craig Allyn Rose, Photographer San Jose Fire Department

Fire Prevention Week 2006

National Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14, 2006. This year’s NFPA theme is "Prevent Cooking Fires – Watch What You Heat." The San José Fire Department will seek to reach a broad audience city wide with our fire safety information. This year, our plans are as follows:

October 3, 2006

Mayor Ron Gonzales and the San José City Council will make a formal proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week 2006 during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 1:30pm. Join us for this ceremony to acknowledge the importance of fire safety in our community!

October 8, 2006

San José Fire Department will host 3-hour Fire Station Open Houses at five Fire Stations in the City on Sunday, October 8, 2006 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Firefighters will be on hand to conduct station tours, answer questions, show fire equipment, etc.

Please see the chart below for Open House stations, times and location:

Sunday, October 8, 2006, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Station 1, 201 N. Market Street

Station 14, 1201 San Tomas Aquino Road

Station 22, 6461 Bose Lane

Station 29, 199 Innovation Drive

Station 31, 3100 Ruby Avenue

October 14, 2006

San José Fire Department will participate in the annual “Pumpkins in the Park Festival” on Saturday, October 14, 2006 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This FREE event is held at Discovery Meadow in downtown San Jose, next to the Children’s Discovery Museum, W. San Carlos Street at Woz Way. Join us for a day of fun: meet the firefighters, check out a fire engine, a fire truck and the one-and-only Shark Engine! We will have fire safety materials for all ages.

Our Fire Prevention Week 2006 educational objective:

To educate the public about kitchen safety. More home fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else. Cooking equipment is involved in over 100,000 reported home fires each year.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit the NFPA website.

Submitted by; Training Specialist, Sheri Busansky, SJFD

Posted by; Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Patriot Day Commemoration & Procession Monday, September 11, 2006

This morning September 11, 2006, San Jose Firefighters and Police Officers, led by Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld and Police Chief Rob Davis, participated in a 9/11 Patriot Day Commemoration and march. City and State officials along with emergency responders from throughout the Bay Area also participated in today’s event.

The commemoration began at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and was immediately followed by a procession to Fire Station 1 on Market St in downtown San Jose. Approximately 150 Fire Department personnel participated in the march to observe the ringing of the Fire Department memorial bell. The traditional ringing of the bell was conducted to commemorate and remember all those who gave their lives in the terrorist attacks five years ago on September 11, 2001.

Submitted by; Captain Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO

Groundbreaking Ceremony for NewSan Jose Fire Station #35

On Monday, August 21, 2006, the San Jose Fire Department, civic and community leaders, including Mayor Ron Gonzales, Councilmember Forrest Williams and Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new City of San Jose Fire Station 35. New Fire Station 35 will be located at Poughkeepsie Rd at Cottle Rd in San Jose, CA.

In March 2002, San Jose voters passed the Neighborhood Security Bond Act that approved the issuance of $159 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund the construction of 36 public safety facilities. Fire Station 35 is the first of ten new fire stations in the public safety bond program.

Station 35 Specifications:
Approximately 12, 400sq ft
Built on approximately 0.85 acre site
Two-stories
Three bay apparatus
Capable of housing a two Fire Companies and a Battalion Chief
Building Cost: $4.8 million
Completion: August 2007
Architect: RRM Design Group
Contractor: Farotte Construction Company

Submitted by; Captain Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO