Action Photographs
2004

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

Auto extrication, Shannon's area, 5 February 2004.

all photos: B/C Bob Smith

FF/E/P Jason Falarski using the Hurst shears.

At 2027 Hrs E-6, R-3, and B-3 were dispatched to an overturned vehicle with people trapped at Blossom Hill Road and Linda Av. E-6 found a car on its side that had hit and destroyed about 50' of redwood fence. Two people were trapped and one person had self extricated. E-6 requested 1 additional engine which brought E-3. R-3 was rescue group and used the shears to cut the roof off and extricate the two patients in the car. They also provided scene lighting. E-6 was medical group and along with E-3 and three AMR units established treatment area, treated, and transported the three patients. E-6 also provided and staffed a charged protection line. The patients were all teenagers. They were conscious and breathing upon transport. 1st patient extricated at 2041 and the 2nd at 2050. E-6 cleared at about 2130. Move ups: E-8 to LG, E-30 to QU.

Water tanker rollover rescue, Monte Vista's area, 15 April 2004.

photographer unknown

Engine 7, Truck 1, Patrol 1, Engine 16 and Battalion 7 rescue the driver of an overturned water tanker at a construction site. Also involved were AMR and CalStar (helicopter medivac). In the second and third photos, note the use of a Caldo torch to cut away the 6"x6" (15cm x 15cm) I-beam pinning the driver. The hydraulic Hurst ram and it's motor-driven pump can also be seen. The extrication took about two hours before the driver could be removed; he was transported via helicopter to the Valley Medical Center trauma center, with what turned out to be only minor injuries.

Automobile rollover rescue, Cupertino's area, May 2004.

photographer unknown

Truck 1 responding with San Jose Engine 15 at an automobile rollover at Bollinger Av at Tantau Av. This incident illustrates the interagency cooperation that County Fire participates in daily. Due to the irregular borders of coverage areas, Engine 15 was first-due on automatic aid for this incident because they were located closer. Automatic aid provides victims with the fastest possible response, regardless of who's area of responsibility they are in. Note San Jose firefighters in black turnouts and leather helmets, and AMR paramedics in blue helmets.

Automobile over cliff rescue, Redwood's area, May 2004.

photographer unknown

E-4, R-3, B-3, CRZ (Santa Cruz Co. FD) E-3622 responded to a reported vehicle over the cliff (300') on Loma Prieta Way at Mount Madonna Road. Sheriff's Office units and a helicopter were on scene; the helicopter used it's infrared vision to detect two heat sources in or near the vehicle. The SO had a male in custody who was involved in the incident, but was not giving details. B-3 established Loma Prieta IC, R-3 was assigned Rescue Group, E-4 Paramedic was assigned to Rescue Group and was lowered down to the vehicle, E-4 was assigned Medical Group and CDF E-3622 was assigned safety. No victims were found in or around the vehicle and the man in custody admitted that he was the only occupant of the vehicle. The incident went well, no injuries, no damaged equipment.

Mutual Aid, San Jose, 2 June 2004.

Truck 5 providing mutual aid at a 5th alarm structure fire at a strip mall in San Jose, at 4124 Monterey Highway near Senter Rd. Truck 5 and Engine 6 were assigned to the C/D side, involving substantial active fire and exposures to adjacent apartments. Truck 5 provided an elevated master stream, and Engine 6 provided a water supply to Truck 5.

3 Alarm Brush Fire, Campbell's area, 16 June 2004.

Rescue 3 and Engine 10 working on the Hamilton Av offramp from Highway 17 north at a three alarm brush fire, the offramp having been shut down to all non-emergency traffic by law enforcement. High winds and nearby endangered construction equipment complicated this 4-acre fire, which took about 7 hours to extinguish. All of the tall pine trees at the left of the photo had to be cut down by CalTrans at the end of the event, as they were all burned and in danger of falling.

2 Alarm Structure Fire, Sunnyoaks' area, 9 August 2004.

At 0153, Engine 10, Engine 11, Truck 5, Rescue 3 and Battalion 3 were dispatched to a structure fire at Central Valley Marine on Sunnyoaks Av in Campbell. A second alarm was immediately requested, and Engine 3, Engine 8, Truck 1, Hazmat 2 and Battalion 7 responded. An exterior attack was initiated, using two master streams as well as multiple hoselines. Two 800' (245 M) five-inch (12.7cm) supply lines were required.

90% of the two story, 8000 square foot (740 square meter) Marine Repair business was damaged; computers containing business records were salvaged and removed from the first floor office. In addition to the building, four boats were destroyed and two automobiles damaged by radiant heat. 8-10 other boats were undamaged. Total damage estimates were more than $1 million.

With flames showing through the roof, sparks fly as firefighters cut through metal door bars to gain access.

Master streams from Engine 11 and Truck 5's ladder tip are directed at the building's roof.

As handlines are deployed to attack the fire from the side, the master streams continue to hit the roof. Once access was made, firefighters backed away from the building due to the possibility of a wall collapse.

One of the 5" supply lines snaking back to feed Truck 5's master stream.

Right: A firefighter plays a hoseline against the forklift's propane fuel tank to keep it cooled.

Water droplets on the camera lens, and a blanket of foam on the ground, combine to give a winter-like scene.

2 Alarm Structure Fire, Campbell's area, 16 November 2004.

all photos: FF/E/P J. McCluskey

An early morning 2-alarm apartment fire in Campbell. Top left: The Truck 5 crew ventilates the roof. Top right: Engine 11, Hazmat 2, Truck 1, and Engine 9 in staging, on Hamilton Avenue. Bottom: roof operations.