Action Photographs
1960s

Aircraft Crash, 1960

both from the collection of Jim Ackley

Light aircraft crash, early 1960s. Chief Hugh Turner in white hat.

Aircraft Crash, 1962

all from the collection of Jim Ackley

Three shots of an light aircraft crash on 16th fairway of the Hillview Golf Course that killed all occupants, two sheriffs and a prisoner being transported from Los Vegas. The plane was making an evening landing at Reid Hillview airport when it struck a eucalyptus tree and plowed into the ground. Rescue crews labored for more than half an hour with hacksaws before they were able to cut the victims from the twisted wreckage. Bottom right photo was used in a newspaper article, and shows B/C Ackley (top), and firefighters Ed Ageno (upper left), Cottle (left) and Bill Clanton (holding debris). 15 April 1962.

from the collection of Jim Ackley

Not recommended: a volunteer firefighter uses his shirt to beat at flames, at a hillside wildland fire near Alum Rock Park. The fire threatened the Alum Rock Sanitarium until it was flanked by firefighters. The blaze moved east from Simoni Dr uphill toward Crothers Rd. From a newspaper article dated 31 Aug 1962.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

House fire, 11 Mar 1963. Note old-style leather helmets, dungarees, and no breathing apparatus.

both: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Law enforcement officer looking at Tanker 7 with other Central Fire units working at a June 1964 fire.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Firefighter Hewett and another firefighter hooking up a 5" hard suction line. Note Bell helmets with snap-on rear brims. 9 May 1965.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Loading hose at Shannon Station. Date unknown.

Live Burn Training, March 1966

all: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Central Fire firefighters attack a dwelling fire, March 1966. Photos show exterior attack, interior attack, and protecting the exposure. Participants identifiable are Captain Pyle, and firefighters Cook, Robison and Ramirez.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Central Fire firefighters were prepared if a Titan II missile ever caught fire in the valley. It's only a burning Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, so there's obviously no need to bother with helmets or turnouts! This was a publicity shot, but what for is not known. December 1968.

from the collection of Jim Ackley

Group closeup, circa late 1960s. It isn't clear whether this is a rescue, a drill, or pressure testing.

from the collection of Jim Ackley

Left to right: B/C Curtis Kirby, Assistant Chief Ed Severns, B/C Jim Ackley on Truck 1, as they await visitors to Cupertino Station. All county fire stations were open to the public in observance of "Fire Service Day". Photo dated May 1967, and was published in a local newspaper on 4 June 1967.

Aircraft Crash, 1968

all the collection of Jim Ackley

Light aircraft crash, 30 March 1968. These photos, scanned from San Jose Mercury Newspaper articles, shows the fiery crash of a light plane that crashed on the playing field of the Clyde Fischer Junior High School, killing the three occupants, after having just taken off from Reid-Hillview Airport in east San Jose. Fortunately, all students were back in their classes at the time of the crash. Apparently, the pilot was trying to get back to the airport when his engine failed. The bottom photo shows a firefighter hopping back over the fence, to unkink a hoseline.