SAN JOSE, CA – March 12, 2020 – Today, the City of San José announced that San José firefighters have contracted the COVID-19 virus. San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230, on behalf of the 662 firefighters who serve the residents of San José, is providing updated details on the situation for our members in full support of the Department’s efforts. As the COVID-19 virus spreads throughout our city and San Jose firefighters respond to over 90,000 emergencies annually, COVID-19 is taking its toll. At this time, four (4) San José firefighters have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, two (2) are in ordered isolation at home with symptoms awaiting formal test results, and a total of nearly 80 have at one point been restricted from work due to documented exposures. Our sick firefighters also have multiple family members who have tested COVID-19 positive, and other family members with symptoms of the virus awaiting test results.

“As firefighters, we commit our careers and lives to serving the public in their time of need. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as it grows among our residents is an unprecedented challenge, and we are up to that challenge. But it is also taking a tremendous toll on us as we fall ill and support our ill family members,” stated Sean Kaldor, President, San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230.

Working with the Fire Department, best practices have been adopted to safely treat the public, prevent spread of the disease and protect members from further exposure. Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines are being followed to limit exposures and manage firefighters who have been exposed. In the event that a firefighter is exposed without sufficient personal protective equipment to an individual that is determined to be COVID-19 positive or suspected to have the virus, that firefighter is removed from serving the public for 14 days and their symptoms are actively monitored, per those CDC guidelines.

Every firefighter uses best practices to decontaminate themselves, their equipment and their station. Living 24-hours a day in close proximity creates a situation where viruses can quickly spread. As a precaution, when a station is suspected to possibly be contaminated, firefighters are relocated and the station receives deeper level of cleaning and disinfection.

“We encounter infectious diseases on a daily basis. COVID-19 is the latest in a series of threats to the public and our firefighters. We are working closely with the Department, County EMS, and County Public Health to ensure best practices are followed to minimize transmission of this virus as the pandemic crosses San José. As firefighters, we are also have a close bond to each

This is the San Jose Fire Fighters Shark Engine – a parade and public relations vehicle painted to resemble a huge, prowling shark. It was created to show the San Jose Fire Fighter’s support for its hockey team, the San Jose Sharks, while affording a means to highlight the San Jose Fire Fighter’s fire public education and fire prevention messages throughout the community

It comes out of the night, glimmering on neon waves, pursued by a throbbing ostinato of ominous horns. A pair of stroboscopic eyes wink menacingly as it approaches. A huge, gaping maw circled by sharp, triangular teeth emerges from the shadows, which are cleaved by two massive black fins, and on its mighty back rides… a handful of clowns in firefighter turnouts?

What in the world…?

The engine is the brainchild of a handful of San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230 members (Sharks fans) working at Station 30, just southwest of downtown. Station 30 may be second-due to the Sharks Arena but they’re first-due in spirit. A few years ago, when San Jose’s hometown hockey team made the playoffs, the C-shift crew at Station 30 decided it would be a neat idea to mount a cardboard shark fin on top of their rig to show their support for the team. The idea germinated until the idea of a fully-decorated fire engine was submitted to the Fire Chief, who donated a reserve rig to the project. The Shark Engine was born.

Fire Fighter Tony Ojeda and Captain Ski Bartosiewicz, IAFF Local 230 members headed up the project, enlisting the aid of virtually everyone else who set foot in Station 30 during C-Shift. The crew began to solicit funding for the project from various corporations. Their first check came from the Sharks Foundation, which enthusiastically supported the idea and authorized the use of their colors and image on the engine.

“We researched how many parades the shark rig would be seen at,” said Bartosiewicz. “With all the parades downtown and other events we have in San José, we figured it would be seen by over one million people during the first year. Our hope is to have it at every major function in the city.”

Los Gatos artist Glen Marchant designed and would paint the white, red, teal, and navy blue shark that covers the apparatus. The rig had started out in 1983 as Engine 4, then migrated over to Engine 11 before being relegated to reserve status in the mid ‘90s. Working with the San Jose Fire Fighter’s Muster Team and Local 230 Executive Board members, Station 30 C-Shift mapped out the modifications needed. The rig was driven out to Oakdale, where Hi-Tech Fire Apparatus stripped it down and then enthusiastically performed the needed modifications.

The grill was removed from the front and the sirens and horn lowered to afford maximum space and visibility for the shark’s mouth. The original 500-gallon water tank was removed and replaced with a 200-gallon tank, allowing the bed to be lowered for installation of two back-to-back benches, allowing seated riders during a parade. The pump was retained along with two transverse lines so that kids can shoot water using a 50’ 1″ hoseline during hands-on demos. The side-mounted ladders were replaced with new storage compartments. New emergency and running lights were installed, including red strobe airplane wing lights mounted on both sides where they glimmer brightly as the shark’s eyes. A pair of pike poles were configured on either side of the bed, one to fly the American flag, the other to fly whatever flag is appropriate for the given event.

Blue neon lights were installed in the wheel wells to give the impression, at night, that the “shark” is floating in water. The cab was equipped with a CD sound system to play the theme from JAWS (licensed by the Sharks as its musical signature). An LED reader board was installed on the back of the rig to display messages appropriate to each given event.

To protect Glen Marchant’s detailed paint job, tough Imron acrylic paint was used and Hi-Tech went over that with a clearcoat sealant. The dorsal and tail fins were made out of Styrofoam and fiberglass by a company in Las Vegas that manufactures surfboard fins.

The modifications came to about $70,000, all of which was covered through the donations. Corporate sponsors who donated $10,000 or more have their name and logo appearing on the rear of the engine. These sponsors thus far include San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230, and its members who have donated hundreds of hours to the project, San José Fire Department (which also donated the rig), the City of San José, the San Jose Fire Fighter’s Burn Foundation, The Sharks Foundation, and Hi-Tech Fire Apparatus.

“The Shark Engine is good for the fire department because we get our fire prevention message across,” said Ski Bartosiewicz. “It’s the community coming together for a piece of equipment that will benefit the kids, who are going to pick up on something that is extraordinarily different from anything they’ve seen before. Secondly, the city will get their fair share of the publicity simply because it shows the rest of the nation – and to sports teams who might be considering a move to San José – the kind of support we’ll put behind professional teams and to businesspeople who come into the area. And of course, the benefit to the Sharks has been great. The more we can do as a fire department, and the more we can show who we are as a city, that benefits everybody.”

San Jose Fire Explorer Post 888 helps young adults prepare for a rewarding career in the Fire Service. Explorers learn basic and advanced fire fighting techniques as well as medical skills.

Participants also learn leadership skills and self discipline while earning community service hours.

San Jose Fire Fighters is a proud supporter of Fire Explorer Post 888.

The goal of the program is to provide students ages 14 to 18 with the opportunity to learn about the fire service and what it takes to become a firefighter. Explorers also learn lifelong skills that will benefit them in any profession they choose.

New Explorers spend their first six months in the classroom and then take what they have learned and apply it to the drill ground every other Saturday. In addition to fire skills, the Explorers also become CPR certified, are given guidance on resume and interview skills, and are taught the importance of physical fitness and health.

As part of the program, they may attend Fire Department functions, which provides them the opportunity to assist our organization and gain a better understanding of the department outside of emergency response.

Community service is required by all Explorers. Post 888 provides the opportunity to give back by organizing multiple volunteer events throughout the year.

The program currently has 45 students and 8 line advisers.

The San Jose Fire Explorer Post 888 is sponsored by Learning for Life, The Boy Scouts of America, and the San José Fire Department.

The San Jose Fire Museum is an independent organization, built upon and managed by the efforts of hundreds of current and past members of San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230, their families, and countless community volunteers. The organization is registered as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit.

The purpose of the San Jose Fire Museum is to acquire, restore, catalogue, preserve and display historic fire apparatus, tools and equipment and memorabilia and to educate the public on the history of the San José Fire Department.

In doing so we will provide fire safety education to the public, assist the San José Fire Department, the Chief and the city of San José to display items of historical interest to the community and accurately reflect our rich and diverse history.

The San José Fire Fighters Muster Team was incorporated in June of 1973. It was comprised of San José Fire Department members and families interested in preserving the history and spirit of the San José Fire Department.

Today it is called the San Jose Fire Museum.

Thousands of hours and dollars have been voluntarily given by hundreds of people for the benefit of this purpose. Participation in community activities is prime focus.

The Fire Museum provided strong support and actively participated in the construction of the Empire Fire House at Kelly Park. This replica of an original San José fire house is presently utilized as a small fire museum and meeting hall. The Fire Museum has restored numerous rare and antique fire apparatus dating from 1800 through the late 1950’s.

The apparatus and equipment is used by the Fire Museum to represent the City of San José, the San José Fire Department and its members in a wide variety of civic events including parades, musters, static displays and special celebrations. San Jose Fire Museum members and their families prepare and display the apparatus for numerous events a year.

The San Jose Fire Museum maintains a display of apparatus, equipment, uniforms and other artifacts in a central warehouse on Senter Road. It has also acquired Old Fire Station One, at 201 North Market Street, which has been established as a national landmark and is dedicated to the display of the museum’s collection within a genuine San José fire station.

Los Bomberos of Northern California is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve fire protection to communities throughout Santa Clara County.

San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230, is a proud supporter of Los Bomberos of Northern California. Dozens of San Jose Fire Fighters assist the organization in pursuit of its mission.

San Jose Fire Fighters, the San José Fire Department, the City of San José and Los Bomberos of Northern California closely collaborate on a marquee event – the annual toy drive which assists hundreds of families during the holidays each year.

Los Bomberos of Northern California develops and conducts fire prevention and safety programs that educate and reduce the loss of life and property for all people in our community.

It recruits, retains and promotes qualified Firefighter candidates that pose the skills necessary to provide emergency service free of cultural and/or racial bias.

They are committed to community service in order to improve life opportunities for all Americans.

Los Bomberos of Northern California is very proud of the direction its work has taken and equally proud of their membership who give their time and effort generously in order to continue this pursuit of excellence within the Fire Department and Community.

Some recent community programs include:

The San Jose Fire Fighters Burn Foundation is an independent organization organized under the auspices of San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230, built and managed by the efforts of dozens of current and past members.

San Jose Fire Fighters Burn Foundation is committed to being a proactive educational and financial presence for the advancement in treatment and care of burn survivors and their families.

To reach the San Jose Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, please call (408) 667-1535 or use our “Contact Us”.