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