WASHINGTON, D.C. - A technical review of the worst fire loss in San Jose, Calif., history - damages of more than $90 million - is being released by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today. According to the report, San Jose fire officials identified county-wide radio/data interoperability, the need for additional radio frequencies and reviewing the mutual aid plan as priorities to be addressed based on lessons learned in the October 2002 fire.
"This was an extremely large fire that spread beyond the initial construction site to engulf nearby housing, putting many firefighters at risk and leaving many families homeless," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "While the San Jose Fire Department was able to manage the incident without any fatalities and only minor injuries, there is much to be learned from the fire."
USFA develops reports on selected major fires and emergencies, usually involving multiple deaths or a large loss of property. The objective reviews are intended to share significant "lessons learned" or new knowledge about firefighting or to underscore ongoing issues in fire service. USFA, which has no regulatory authority, sends an experienced fire investigator to the community after a major incident only after conferring with local fire authorities.
"It's widely recognized that communication systems were quickly overloaded during this extraordinarily large event," said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. "The call volume pushed the fire department's system to the brink, even with police department assistance, and the amount of radio traffic also exceeded the capabilities of the fire department's system. These issues have been recognized by senior fire officials and included in a formal post-incident evaluation done locally."
The fire began at the 42-acre Santana Row construction site and was reported to the 911 operator by a caller located in a nearby high-rise building. Less than 10 minutes after the initial call, there was a second call reporting roof fires about half a mile from the initial fire site. Eventually, 119 firefighters and 31 pieces of apparatus would respond to the construction site fire and 102 firefighters and 34 pieces of apparatus would respond to the secondary fire that burned through nearby residential units. A total of 11 alarms would eventually be dispatched to the fires.
A copy of the full report can be found at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/techreports/tr153.shtm
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
