Action Photographs
2002

The photos below are reduced-size or cropped thumbnails. Click any photo to see the full-sized image.

Fire on Almarida Av, Campbell, 1 Feb 2002.

all: Campbell Police Department

"At 0114 hours, E11, E10, T5, R3 and B3¹ were dispatched to a reported roof fire at ---- Almarida Ave. Prior to response, County Communication advised B3 that they had received multiple reports regarding the roof fire, B3 requested station move-ups. In route E11 inquired what the status was of possible occupants of the residence? County Communications² stated that the residents were no longer in the residence.

E10 arrived on scene and reported a 1,300 square foot single-family residence with 50% of the roof involved. E10 established IC³ and directed next due apparatus to provide a supply line⁴ to E11 and provide "back-up"; T5 to secure utilities⁵ and salvage operations⁶. E10 provided a supply line and back-up. T5 secured utilities and initiated salvage operations simultaneously. All of the rooms were tarped during initial firefighting operations, salvaging the majority of their personal items. B3 and R3 arrived on scene, and a transfer of command occurred.

R3 personnel were initially assigned to an exposure line on the "D"⁶ side.

Approximately 80% of the roof and interior were damaged; the remaining 20% of the residence housed the owners business computers and operations. This area was not damaged.

HM2 provided rehab⁷ and assisted in overhaul operations. 23 SCBA bottles ⁸were used. During final overhaul operations, F/E B---- twisted his ankle while exiting the residence front door. F/E B---- was transported to Good Samaritan⁹ by AMR¹⁰, treated and released. All units were cleared by 0630 hours.

2I1 investigated and determined the cause and origin as due to an active fire in the fireplace. Residence were allowed to remove some personal and valuable items, both stayed at the next door neighbor residence.
$100,000 in structure loss;
$40,000 in contents
4 Volunteers responded and assisted in all operations, board up security¹¹ was provided to open windows and doors only.

Station coverage engine¹² responded to 2 non-related responses during this event. CBL PD¹³ officer utilized FD¹⁴ digital camera to photograph the attached 4 photographs."

¹ "T": Truck; "E": Rngine; "B": Battalion; "R": Rescue; "HM": Hazmat
² County Comm/County Communications: the dispatchers
³ IC: Incident Command. Modular hierarchical command structure wherein the first unit in assumes command, then passes it along to superior units as they arrive and/or as the incident increases in size
⁴ supply line: large diameter hose from hydrant to engine or truck
⁵ secure utilities: shut off electricity and gas to render the building safer for entry, and to reduce ignition sources
⁶ standard identification of building sides: front is A side, then clockwise to left B, C, and D sides on a rectangular building.
⁷ rehab area: rehabilitation area set up in a safe location to allow firefighters to catch their breath and rehydrate
⁸ SCBA bottles: air tanks for the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
⁹ Good Samaritan: "Good Sam", a local hospital
¹⁰ AMR: American Medical Response, contract paramedics
¹¹ board up: covering broken windows, doors and roof holes with plywood to prevent weather and/or looter intrusion
¹² Station coverage: on major incidents, equipment is shifted to select empty stations to provide coverage until that station's equipment is available again
¹³ CBL PD: Campbell Police Department
¹⁴ FD: Fire Department

photo: Battalion Chief Bob Smith

"On 11 April 2002 at 1310 hrs E1, E2, T1, and B7 were dispatched to a rescue call, person trapped under a vehicle in the Vallco Financial Parking lot on Wolfe Rd in Cupertino. Upon arrival a convertible Mustang was upside down with one male trapped underneath. The other patient had self-extricated with moderate injuries. T1 crew used airbags and cribbing to free the trapped person (DOA upon arrival at VMC¹). Both patients were about 18 years old, had been racing and doing donuts in parking lot, lost control, hit curb, light pole and parked car. Car then flipped upside down, landing on its roof. SO², City of Cupertino, and (2) AMR³ units also responded. Last unit cleared at 1404."

¹ VMC: Valley Medical Center, the local trauma center
² SO: Sheriff's Office
³ AMR: American Medical Response, contract paramedics

Residential Fire, Teakwood Road, Campbell, 7 Sep 2002.

photographer unknown

Top left: fire on A side (front) of house, prior to Truck 5 arrival.
Top right: A side as Truck 5 arrives on scene, begins rescue to right.
Center left: volunteer firefighter Allyn Hoffman after fire knockdown.
Center right: extinguishing smoldering roof, B side.
Bottom: Captain Mark Winters supervises salvage and overhaul, B side.

Standard identification of building sides: front is A side, then clockwise to left B, C, and D sides on a rectangular building.

"Last night at 2201 hrs T-5, E-10, E-3, R-3 and B-3¹ were dispatched to an apartment complex on fire. While in route T-5 was advised that Los Gatos PD² was already on scene and reporting a working fire. County Comm³ also advised that there were three people trapped on the second floor of the building and could not get out due to heavy fire.

T-5 arrived to find a two story 4-plex with heavy fire in the #1 downstairs unit. Due to the rescue problem, T-5 passed command to the next unit, which was B-3, and set up a rescue group with R-3. A line was advanced up the stairs to cut off the advancing fire. All three people that were trapped in #3 unit were removed safely and a medical group was set up for medical treatment. E-10 and E-3 were assigned to fire attack on the first floor. A second alarm was requested which consisted of E-8, E-9, T-1, HM-2 and a safety officer (Hurst). E-8 and E-9 were assigned to medical group. There was a total of 5 people evaluated at the scene, three were transported to VMC⁴ for further treatment. HM-2 set up RIC⁵ and a rehab⁶ area for fire crews. T-1 remained in staging⁷ and was released.

The fire was brought under control and contained to the first floor and some landscaping.

Fire investigators 2I-1 and 2K16 arrived and cause is still under investigation. Due to the quick action of all involved, fire damage was minimized and no one was injured. Eleven (11) volunteers assisted."

¹ "T": Truck; "E": Engine; "B": Battalion; "R": Rescue; "HM": Hazmat
² PD: Police Department
³ County Comm/County Communications: the dispatchers
⁴ VMC: Valley Medical Center, the local trauma center
⁵ RIC: Rapid Intervention Crew, on standby to rescue injured or trapped firefighters
⁶ rehab area: rehabilitation area set up in a safe location to allow firefighters to catch their breath and rehydrate
⁷ staging: on standby at the perimeter of an activity, ready to assist but not yet in action