The text of the 1949 Annual Report is herein reproduced in it's entirety, with the exception of the apparatus photos which are displayed in the historical apparatus section. This is the department's second annual report, but the first to contain full information and statistics. Not only does it provide for an historical snapshot of the department at it's genesis, it also illustrates just how much the department has enlarged and expanded since it's inception.
All efforts have been made to reproduce the original typed report as closely as possible. The one exception is the report's use of the "1/2" key, originally a single glyph on the typewriter keyboard, unavailable for use by web browsers.
1949
A N N U A L R E P O R T
C E N T R A L F I R E P R O T E C T I O N D I S T R I C T
S A N T A C L A R A C O U N T Y
San Jose, California
FIRE COMMISSIONERS
Arch Wilson, President
Curtner Zanker H. O. Fiebig
M. E. McCollam J. A. Mirassou
SECRETARY
E. B. Hughston
FIRE DEPARTMENT
H. C. Lingua, Fire Chief
H. C. Turner, Assistant Chief
F. M. Luhring, Assistant Chief
February 1, 1950 To the Honorable Board Gentlemen: I herewith submit the second Annual Report I with to express my appreciation to the Respectfully submitted, Henry C. Lingua, Chief HCL:mm
of Fire Commissioners
Central Fire Protection District
San Jose, California
of the Central Fire Protection District Fire Depart-
ment, for 1949. The statistical breakdown of the
number of alarms received, fire losses, insurable
values, activities of the department, and other in-
formation, is contained in this report.
Board of Fire Commissioners for their valuable co-
operation and assistance during the year. I further
wish to express my appreciation to the many depart-
ments of Santa Clara County that have assisted the
fire department. To the officers and men in the
department, I extend my whole-hearted thanks for their
untiring efforts and support.
INTRODUCTION
The year 1949 has brought many important improvements in
the Central Fire Protection District. Many constructive recommen-
dations made by the Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pacific have
been completed to further safeguard life and property in the Dist-
rict.Headquarters Fire Station, located on Tully Road on pro-
perty acquired from the Santa Clara County Fair Association, is
rapidly nearing completion. One wing of this station will house
the Santa Clara County Communications Department. Consolidation
of this department with the fire station was effected through the
cooperation of the Board of Supervisors.Unquestionably, the joint housing of the Communications
Department and Headquarters Fire Station was a wise step both eco-
nomically and operationally, savings being effected in construction,
utilities and sewage. This move further constitites (sic) a solid foun-
dation for a future "Central Emergency Headquarters" for Santa Clara
County. Sincere appreciation is extended to the board of Super-
visors, Santa Clara County Fair Association, Board of Trustees of
the Franklin-McKinley School District and others who aided in making
this possible.A new 1250 gpm pumper 150# Class A test, is on order for
the headquarters station and will be in addition to equipment for
the area now temporarily housed in the Cottage Grove Station, which
will be eliminated.A selective calling system, one of the first in the State,
has been installed in the Alum Rock, Cupertino, Cambrian and Quito
Fire Stations, which enables the dispatching of fire apparatus by
radio, saving many minutes of valuable time.Water supply for the Cottage Grove area has been greatly
improved by the San Jose Water Company's new reservoir on Oak Hill.
For example, a hydrant in the industrial area that formerly had a
flow of 810 gpm will now flow more than 1800 gpm and at a higher
residual pressure.Insurance rate reductions up to as high as 58% in the Alum
Rock and Cottage Grove rating districts have been effected during
this year. It is felt what with improvements now under way other
areas will be entitled to fire insureance rate reductions. Accord-
ingly, a request has been made to the Board of Underwriters of the
Pacific for a resurvey of the District, which has been scheduled for
March 1, 1950.
FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
At The End of 1949
1 Chief 2 Assistant Chiefs 1 Drillmaster 28 Engineer Firemen 1 Clerk _____ 33 Total 71 Volunteers 7 Volunteer Sleepers
FIRE STATISTICS
Value of Property Endangered:
Buildings
$ 803,946
Contents
$ 127,981
_________
Total
$ 931,927
Insurance on Property Endangered:
Buildings
$ 719,158
Contents
$ 101,990
_________
Total
$ 821,148
Fire Loss Insured:
Buildings
$ 75,772
Contents
$ 36,194
_________
Total
$ 111,966
Fire Loss Uninsured:
Buildings
$ 18,407
Contents
$ 11,401
_________
Total
$ 29,808
DISTRIBUTION OF ALARMS BY MONTH DISTRIBUTION OF ALARMS BY HOURS
January
40
August
73
February
17
September
69
March
20
October
66
April
30
November
45
May
44
December
40
June
126
____
July
89
Total
659
Midnight to 6:00 A. M.
52
6:00 A. M. to Noon
144
Noon to 6:00 P. M.
295
6:00 P. M. to Midnight
168
____
Total
659
STRUCTURAL FIRES
Dwellings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85
Barn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
Garage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
Shed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Club House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Sulphur House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Play House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Auto Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Grocery Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Tallow Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Service Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Pump House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Restroom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Work Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Wash House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Tent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
____
Total
120
Distribution By Month:
January . . . . . .
18
February. . . . . .
8
March . . . . . . .
8
April . . . . . . .
9
May . . . . . . . .
6
June. . . . . . . .
10
July. . . . . . . .
10
August. . . . . . .
9
September . . . . .
6
October . . . . . .
12
November. . . . . .
6
December. . . . . .
18
___
Total
120
Class of Buildings:
1 Story Frame . . . . .
103
2 Story Frame . . . . .
13
1/2 Story Frame . . . .
2
1 1/2 Story Frame . . .
1
3 Story Frame . . . . .
1
___
Total
120
Grass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
218
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64
Rubbish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
Smoke Scare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41
Brush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
Miscellaneous Runs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
False Alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
Tree and Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
Dump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Power Pole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Lumber Pile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
First Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
House Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
Rekindle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Sawdust Piles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Airplane Crash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Railroad Ties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Freight Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Suicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Drowning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
____
539
CAUSES OF ALARMS AND FIRES
Bonfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Cigarettes and Matches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Out of District Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Smoke Scare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Children and Matches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Miscellaneous Causes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Electrical Short. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Flue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Undetermined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Permit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sparks - Incinerator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Motor Short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 False Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Furnace - Heater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Spontaneous Ignition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Vehicle Accident. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Incendiary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Stove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Oveheated Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 False Alarm - Malicious . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Rekindle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Defective Wiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 First Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Explosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sparks - Chimney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Brakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sparks - RR Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Drowning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fireplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ____ 659 Fires Out Upon Arrival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
EQUIPMENT CHART
_______________________________________________________________________
Engine
Feet of Hose
Water
Vol. Pump
Hi-Press.
Radio
Locations
No.
2 1/2"
1 1/2"
3/4"
Gals.
G.P.M
Pump GPM
_______________________________________________________________________
#1
500
350
400
400
250
60
3-way
Oakmead
2
500
350
400
400
250
60
"
Quito *
3
500
350
400
400
250
60
"
Cambrian *
4
1000
350
400
500
500
40
"
Alum Rock *
5
1000
350
400
500
500
40
"
Cupertino *
6
1250
350
200
200
500
Booster
"
Cottage Gr.
7
500
350
200
300
200
Booster
"
San Tomas
8
1000
350
400
500
600
40
"
Alum Rock
9
2000
500
200
500
1500
Booster
"
H.Q. **
Hose
#1
1500
300
H.Q.
Tanker
#1
100
300
2000
500
Rvcr.#
Cambrian
2
100
500
2000
500
" #
Oakmead
3
100
300
2000
500
" #
Cupertino
4
100
200
2150
500
" #
Quito
5
100
300
2000
500
" #
Alum Rock
6
100
300
2000
500
" #
H.Q. **
7
100
300
2000
500
" #
Evergreen **
Pickups
#1
350
200
3-Way
H.Q.
2
200
100
5
"
H.Q.
3
200
100
5
"
H.Q.
Flood ##
Lite #1
H.Q.
_______________________________________________________________________
Total
10850
6000
3400
18050
8050
310
_______________________________________________________________________
Spare Hose 1550 ft. of 2 1/2 inch and 1800 ft. of 1 1/2 inch.
* These stations equipped with selective calling by radio.
# 3-Way radio in stock, Waiting installation.
## Five 500 watt floodlights.
** On order.
HOSE, CHEMICAL, LADDERS, AND ETC. USED AT FIRES HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
Hydrants in service at end of 1948 93
Hydrants in service at end of 1949 119
Hydrants on order 31 A water survey is being conducted on the East side by Engine To date 424 surveys and inspections have been made, uncovering This also gives the Engineers an opportunity to famaliarize
(sic) This does not put the Engine in that district out of service
HOSE IN SERVICE
_______________________________________________________________________
Booster
2 1/2" Hose
1 1/2" Hose
Water
C.T.C.
CO 2
Ladders
Back
Feet.
Feet
Gals.
Gals.
Lbs.
Feet
Pumps
_______________________________________________________________________
10,300
21,700
240,345
1
75
956
41
=======================================================================
_______________________________________________________________________
2 1/2" Hose
1 1/2" Hose
Double
Single
Double
Single
High Pressure
Booster
Jacket
Jacket
Jacket
Jacket
Hose
Line
_______________________________________________________________________
11,100'
1,300'
7,250'
550'
2,800'
600'
=======================================================================
#3. This information is being evaluated, and coordinated with our maps
and responding code.
many excellent sources of water supply.
themselves with building layouts, hazards, roads, lanes, and etc. Much
valuable information has been developed by this work, and all reports
are on hand for further study.
while making the survey, as it is in constant touch by 3-way radio.
APPARATUS IN SERVICE F. M. C. six-cylinder International KBS-7, 250 gallon low-pressure F. M. C. six-cylinder International KBS-7, 250 gallon low-pressure F. M. C. six-cylinder International KBS-7, 250 gallon low-pressure
Van Pelt six-cylinder White WB-20, 500 gallon low-pressure pump, 40
Van Pelt six-cylinder White WB-20, 500 gallon low-pressure pump, 40
Fabco six-cylinder Dodge, 500 gallon Hale pump, 200 gallon water tank,
ENGINE COMPANY #1
OAKMEAD STATION
pump, 60 GPM high-pressure pump, 400 gallon water tank, carrying 600
feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 300 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose and two reels of
200 feet each high-pressure hose. Equipped with three-way radio.
ENGINE COMPANY #2
QUITO STATION
pump, 60 GPM high-pressure pump, 400 gallon water tank, carrying 500
feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 300 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose and two reels of
200 feet each high-pressure hose. Equipped with three-way radio.
Placed in service in 1948.
ENGINE COMPANY #3
CAMBRIAN STATION
pump, 60 GPM high-pressure pump, 400 gallon water tank, carrying
500 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 300 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose and two reels
of 200 feet each high-pressure hose. Equipped with three-way radio.
Placed in service in 1948.
ENGINE COMPANY #4
ALUM ROCK STATION
GPM high-pressure Hardie pump, 500 gallon water tank, carrying 1000
feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 400 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose and two reels of
200 feet each high-pressure hose. Equipped with three-way radio.
Placed in service in 1948.
ENGINE COMPANY #5
CUPERTINO STATION
GPM high-pressure Hardie pump, 500 gallon water tank, carrying 1000
feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 350 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose and two reels of
200 feet each high-pressure hose. Equipped with three-way radio.
Placed in service in 1948.
ENGINE COMPANY #6
COTTAGE GROVE STATION
carrying 1250 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 200 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose
and 200 feet of booster hose, with a divided hose bed. Equipped with
three-way radio. Placed in service in 1941.
Six-cylinder 1938 Dodge, 200 GPM capacity Hale pump, 300 gallon water
Six-cylinder 1948 White, 600 GPM capacity Hale three-stage pump. 500 Six-cylinder International KB-11, 451 COE, 2,000 gallon water tank, Six-cylinder International KB-11, 451 COE, 2,000 gallon water tank, Six-cylinder International KB-11, 451 COE, 2,000 gallon water tank, Six-cylinder Auto-Car, 501 COE, 2,150 gallon water tank, 100 GPM Six-cylinder White WB-20, 2,000 gallon water tank, 500 GPM capacity Hedberg 1936 Ford V-8, 1300 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 200 feet of 1 1/2 Five K.W. Equipped with six 500 watt flood lights with ample quantity
ENGINE COMPANY #7
SAN TOMAS STATION
tank, carrying 600 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 300 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose
and 200 feet of booster hose. Placed in service in 1948.
ENGINE COMPANY #8
ALUM ROCK STATION
gallon water tank carrying 1,000 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 350 feet of
1 1/2 inch hose, and 400 feet of booster hose. Placed in service in 1949.
TANKER COMPANY #1
CAMBRIAN STATION
500 GPM capacity pump, and 300 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. Equipped with
one-way radio. Place in service in 1947.
TANKER COMPANY #2
OAKMEAD STATION
500 GPM capacity pump, and 300 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. Equipped with
one-way radio. Place in service in 1947.
TANKER COMPANY #3
CUPERTINO STATION
500 GPM capacity pump, and 400 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. Equipped with
one-way radio. Place in service in 1947.
TANKER COMPANY #4
QUITO STATION
booster pump, 250 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. Equipped with one-way radio.
Place in service in 1948.
TANKER COMPANY #5
ALUM ROCK STATION
pump, and 400 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. Placed in service in 1949.
HOSE COMPANY #1
COTTAGE GROVE STATION
inch hose, with a divided hose bed. Placed in service in 1936.
FLOOD LIGHT TRAILER
CAMBRIAN STATION
of extension cords. This was purchased through war surplus in 1947.
Six-cylinder International KB-1, one-half ton, 100 gallon water tank, Six-cylinder Dodge, one ton, 100 gallon water tank, five GPM high-
Six-cylinder heavy-duty industrial-type motor. F-2 Express Ford,
Eight-cylinder V-8 Mercury four-door sedan, three-speed transmission
PICKUP #1
five GPM high-pressure F. M. C. pump, 200 feet of high-pressure hose.
Equipped with three-way radio. Placed in service in 1947.
PICKUP #2
pressure F. M. C. pump, 200 feet of high-pressure hose. Equipped
with three-way radio. Placed in service in 1948.
PICKUP #3
three-quarter ton, four-speed transmission, one-hundred gallon water
tank, five GPM high-pressure F. M. C. pump, 200 feet of high-pressure
hose, equipped with three-way radio. Placed in service in August 1949.
CHIEF'S CAR
with overdrive. Equipped with three-way radio. Placed in service
in July 1949.
DIVISION OF TRAINING
Drills for paid men numbered 61 for a total of 325 Drills for volunteers numbered 13 for a total of 146 As this report goes to press a five week course is This course was conducted by The California State
man hours.
man hours.
being completed. This course is for all paid men, volunteers,
and sleepers. Twenty-two sessions and drills are being held,
for a total of 961 man hours. This course included "Use of
Fire apparatus and Equipment - Salvage Operations." Certif-
icates of completion are awarded each man.
Department of Education, Dr. Roy E. Simpson, Superintendent
of Public Instruction; Thomas S. Ward, Supervisor of Fire
Training; and Nelson H. Wagner, Instructor.
* RADIO * During the year 1949 the County Communication Department's The Federal Communications Commisssion in October 1949 The following fire department vehicles are radio equip- 1 - Chief's car (3 way) 3 - Asst. Chief's pickups (3 way) 7 - Engines (3 way) 4 - Tankers (receivers only) Three way radio equipment is in stock and pending instal- The Communications Department made new radio installations Radio maintenance on fire department equipment neces-
coordinated dispatch center received from the taxpayer and dis-
patched equipment on atotal (sic)
of 659 fire alarms. A total of 25,046
messages were handled by radio between the dispatch center and
the Fire Department's mobile and fixed units.
authorized the construction and ooperation of four transmitting and
receiving stations as part of the Selective Calling Fire Alarm
System for the four permanent fire houses. The construction was
completed in late December and was put into operation in the same
months. These four stations are now dispatched by use of the sel-
ective calling system; thereby allowing the alarm to be given to
the responding station within fifteen seconds after being received
from the taxpayer.
ped:
lation on the five tankers.
on Pickup #3 and Engine #8, and removed and reinstalled radio equip-
ment on the Chief's car and Pickup #1.
sitated a total of thirty-five frequency measurements, and a total
of thirty servicing and general meintenance (sic)
checks.
FIRE PREVENTION During Fire Prevention Week all service clubs cooperated by All schools were visited during Fire Prevention Week, where During County Fair Week an exhibit booth was set up in the
Numerous inspections were made in conjunction with other offices All fires are investigated to determine their origin. Records Acknowledgement is made to the Sheriff's Office, District At- A forward step in Fire Prevention has been made. We have Ord-
devoting their meetings to regular Fire Prevention Programs. Two
radio stations broadcasted spot announcements in the interest of Fire
Prevention. The local press was particularly helpful in their wide-
spread publicity.
fire drills were held for 9.942 pupils. The average time for vacating
buildings was sixty-five seconds, which is very gratifying.
Agricultural Tent where all types of fire extinguishers were displayed
and demonstrated. A total of 5,900 persons visited this display and
5,000 Fire Prevention pamphlets and 5,000 fire telephone cards were
given out.
Fire Prevention addresses by Chief Officers
15
Complaints investigated
209
Rest and Children Homes inspections
59
Gasoline tank inspections
90
Gasoline permits
36
Gasoline permits by other districts
12
Special service jobs
19
Special surveys by Chief Officers
28
including Building, Electrical, and Health Departments.
of all important facts are kept, including insurance carried, agents,
and adjusters, loss paid, and etc.
torney's Office, Photographer, Crime Laboratory, National Board of
Fire Underwriters, and all other agencies for their excellent co-
operation in this very important activity.
inance #378 which controls burning. Ordinance #405 on Flammable Liq-
uids, which also contains the National Fire Prevention Associations
recommended ordinance on tank trucks. Liquified Petroleum Gases are
controlled by Ordinance #404 which is the State Safety Orders on Bu-
tane and Propane.
FACTORS REGARDING GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
During 1949 the public schools within the Central Fire Dist- During 1949 the San Jose Water Works installed 163,000 feet Dr. Roy. E. Simpson, Supertindent
(sic)
of Public Instruction, re-
rict had a total enrollment of 9942, an increase of 1187 over the
previous year.
of new water mains.
ported an enrollment of 58,000 pupils in Santa Clara County in 1949,
which is a 15.6 increase over the previous year.
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