Twelve San Jose Firefighters Honored

Captain Ron Cook (40+ years of service) and wife Lynn enjoy the dinner and fellowship.



On Saturday, March 25, 2006 12 San Jose Firefighters were honored during a retirement dinner hosted by San Jose Firefighters Local 230. These twelve Firefighters had a combined total of over 420 years of service. The retirees were F/E Patrick Bowers, F/F Robert Carabal, F/E John Castro, CA Ron Cook, F/F Frank Diaz, B/C John Flatley, F/E Felipe Gonzalez, F/F Craig Johnson, F/E Thomas McClusky, CA Steve O’Steen, CA Lawrence Silva and CA Clarence Wells. Mayor Ron Gonzales praised these Firefighters for their dedication and service to the community of San Jose. Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez and Councilmembers Forrest Williams, Nancy Pyle, Chuck Reed, Dave Cortese and Judy Chirco joined over 350 Firefighters, family and friends to honor these new retirees. The event was held at the San Jose Hyatt Hotel on North First Street. Also on hand were San Jose Fire Chief Jeffrey L. Clet, Gilroy Fire Chief Dale Foster, Ben Lomond Fire Chief John Charcho, Hollister Fire Chief Bill Garinger and former SJFD Captain and Council Member John Diquisto.

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer and Captain, Scott Kouns, Photographer, San Jose Fire Department

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

In recognition of the 100 year Anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake the San Jose Fire Department would like to provide you some Earthquake safety tips

Before the Shaking Begins:

• Practice DROP, COVER, & HOLD with your family
• Create an out-of-town family check-in plan. Choose an out-of-town relative to contact after an
• earthquake strikes.
• Prepare emergency kits.
• Let friends, neighbors, & family know about any special needs and/or medications you have.
• Create a list of medications and place with your disaster kits.
• Purchase a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.
• Know how to shut off the gas and water.
• Strap down your water heater and secure heavy or tall furniture to wall studs.
• Secure all cabinets with safety locks.
• Designate a meeting place with your family in an event of an emergency.
• Remember cordless phones won’t work in a power outage. Keep a standard corded phone.
  

What to do when an Earthquake Strikes:

• Drop, Cover, & Hold!
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows.
• If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking has stopped.

After the shaking has stopped:

• Check yourself for injuries. Give first aid and assist others if needed.
• Inspect your home for damage and if unsafe get everyone out.
• Eliminate fire hazards. Only if you smell gas shut it off at the meter.
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one DROP, COVER, & HOLD ON!

Types of Disaster kits:

Grab & Go/Car kits:

• Water
• Extra eyeglasses
• Medication and a list of medications
• Small First Aid kit
• Flashlight with batteries
• Whistle
• Small portable radio with batteries
• Protein bars
• High energy, non-perishable foods such as protein bars, raisons, and peanut butter
  Comfy clothes and sturdy shoes

Home kits:

• Water-1 gallon per person per day (a week’s supply is preferable). keep in mind depending on the size of your water heater you could have 30 to 50 gallons available.
• First Aid Kit
• Food (packaged, canned, special diet items) for 3 to 7 days
• Can Opener (non-electric)
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Portable radio, flashlight and spare batteries
• All medications 7-10 day supply and a list of medications
• Non-prescription medications
• Extra pair of eyeglasses
• Extra batteries for hearing aids
• Extra pair of house and car keys
• Cash and change (small denominations)

Submitted by: San Jose Fire Department Office of Public Education/Community Outreach

Greater Alarm Hazardous Materials Incident

On Friday, March 3, 2006, at 9:10 a.m., eleven companies of San Jose Firefighters, two Deputy Chief Officers, five Battalion Chief Officers and eight support units including a second Mutual Aid Hazardous Incident Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Ruben Torres and operations Chief Kevin Conant, responded to a report of a Hazardous Materials Incident at 80 Rose Orchard Way, San Jose, CA.

Upon arrival Firefighters donned full protective clothing including their self-contained breathing apparatus to rescue one employee and evacuated three others from a clean room fabrication area. They initially treated the four patients with medical complaints and evacuated the immediate area of all other non-essential personnel. Initial reports from employees described a burned rubber or onion odor. Two members of the San Jose Fire Haz-Mat Team and one member of the Santa Clara County Fire Haz-Mat Team donned level “A” (air, vapor and water tight) suits and entered the facility equipped with a multitude of hazardous materials electronic detectors and a 4 tube drager pump able to detect any of four specific toxic gases. PH paper was also used to detect any corrosives or acids that may have been present in or around the suspected area. After exiting the building the Haz-Mat Team reported no traces of hazardous or toxic substances were found in the atmosphere. The PH paper also came up negative.


A total of 17 patients were transported to local hospitals including four Firefighters. Medical complaints ranged from difficulty breathing to minor skin irritation. Within a few hours, after examination and observation, all four Firefighters were released from the hospital.

The situation was under control at 3:41 p.m. and turned over to San Jose Fire Departments Bureau of Fire Prevention’s Hazardous Materials Inspectors. The Inspectors will determine the parameters and process to be followed to allow the company to resume work.

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

CPR & First Aid Training

San Jose Fire Department offers CPR & First Aid Training to Civilians

Third Saturday of each month
San Jose Fire Department Training Campus
255 South Montgomery St.
San Jose, CA 95110

Morning Session Heartsaver CPR
Heartsaver Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Taught by City of San Jose Firefighters and
certified by the American Heart Association
Certification: 2 years
Fee: $17

Afternoon Session First Aid
This class teaches basic life saving skills for adults
Taught by City of San Jose Firefighters and
certified by EMS Safety Services
Certification: 2 years
Fee: $17

Please Note: Morning session begins at 9am sharp!
Afternoon session begins at approximately Noon.
You can sign up for one or both classes.
Space is limited so sign up early!

For further details and registration information call:
San Jose Fire Department at 277-4084