SJFD - General FAQs

• How do I request an SJFD Incident or Fire Report?

  The San José Fire Department is committed to providing members of the public their full right of access to Department public records under the California Public Records Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. For information about fire reports or other San José Fire Department public records, please visit our public records webpage.

• Where can I dispose of prescription medications, paint, solvents, batteries, propane, fertilizers, pesticides, and other types of hazardous household waste?

  The Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program holds a number of drop-off events each year. For more information contact the County at 408-299-7300.

• Whom do I contact if a fire hydrant is leaking or damaged?

  Fire hydrant concerns are handled by local water companies. Depending on your location, water service is provided by one of the following three companies:
  • San Jose Water Company: 408-279-7900
  • San José Municipal Water: 408-535-3500
  • Great Oaks Water Company: 408-227-9540
    
    

• Whom should I contact to test the fire alarm or conduct a fire drill at my business?

  Please contact your alarm monitoring company in advance so they will know the fire alarm activation they receive during your test or fire drill does not require a fire department response. If there will be audible alarms sounding during your test or fire drill, also call our San José Fire Communications Center at 408-277-8950. This ensures the fire department is aware it is a test or drill in case people passing by hear the alarm or see people evacuating and call 9-1-1.

• Whom do I contact for an inspection or to determine the occupancy of my residence or business?

  For all inspection or occupancy requests, please contact SJFD's Bureau of Fire Prevention at 408-535-7750.

• What are my options if I cannot care for a newborn?

  California's Safe Surrender Baby Law helps parents in need by giving them a safe, legal and private way to surrender their baby to a loving home. A parent who is unable or unwilling to care for an infant can legally and confidentially surrender their baby within 72 hours of birth to any Safe Surrender Site (this includes any fire station or emergency hospital room in Santa Clara County) without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment, as long as the baby shows no signs of abuse or neglect. This can be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please visit our Safe Surrender webpage.

• Why do fire trucks use lights and sirens, even in the middle of the night when there is no traffic?

  The purpose of emergency warning equipment is to let drivers and pedestrians know that an emergency vehicle is on the way to an emergency. By state law, we do have certain privileges extended to us, such as the privilege to proceed through controlled intersections without stopping or to travel against the designated flow of traffic. These privileges have rules that the state legislation and our department policies put on our drivers. The main rule of safety is to ensure that all traffic is aware of us responding, even in the middle of the night.

• I saw an SJFD fire truck at a local grocery store or restaurant. Why do firefighters use fire trucks for non-emergency purposes while they are on duty?

  To ensure the most effective service at the time of an emergency, our crews must remain in their designated response territory with their vehicles during their entire shift. Our crews work 48-hour shifts with no scheduled breaks, and meals are not provided. Because personnel on each shift must purchase and prepare their own meals, they often make a daily trip to the grocery store or a local restaurant. Since all personnel maintain constant radio contact with our dispatchers, they are always ready to respond to an emergency—regardless of their current location or non-emergency assignment.

• Why does SJFD come when I only request an ambulance?

  Given the 34 fire stations we have across the City of San José, San José Firefighters can and often do get on scene first. Every SJFD firefighter is cross-trained to provide both firefighting and emergency medical services. Firefighters respond to medical calls in order to begin basic or advanced life support before an ambulance arrives. We respond to all medical calls, including those involving life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, and severe bleeding. In some medical situations, it takes more than two people to tend to a victim. For example, it takes at least four people to properly immobilize a victim who has fallen and become injured.

• Why does SJFD send so many vehicles to a fire, especially a small fire?

  Firefighting is a very labor-intensive activity and there are different specialized roles that firefighters undertake at a fire. If there are not enough resources on a call, it can be more difficult to quickly extinguish a fire and prevent it from spreading. Bad weather can also play a role. For example, if it’s very windy and dry, a small brush fire could jump a great distance and quickly grow into a large fire.

• Can I burn leaves or brush on my property?

  The City of San José has an ordinance against residential open burning and the state has an ordinance against residential open burning in Santa Clara County. However, farmers may request an Agricultural Burn Permit by calling 408-535-7750.

• Where can I purchase a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector?

  Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at a wide variety of retail stores. Home improvement centers and hardware stores generally carry a good selection. To more learn about these devices, visit our Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors webpages.

• Where should I place my smoke detectors?

  Install smoke alarms throughout your home. Install them in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home—including basements and attics. Large homes may need extra smoke alarms. For more information, please our Smoke Alarms webpage.

• What is carbon monoxide and how can it harm me?

  Carbon monoxide (also known as CO) is a poisonous, colorless and odorless gas that can be found inside your home. Dangerous concentrations of this gas can build up in an enclosed space when a fuel-burning appliance or machine is not working or vented properly. When a person or animal inhales carbon monoxide, it displaces the oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. Extended exposure to strong concentrations of carbon monoxide can be life-threatening. The good news is that CO poisoning can be prevented by taking simple precautions, such as installing CO detectors throughout your home and maintaining fuel-burning appliances. For more information, visit our Carbon Monoxide Detectors webpage.

• Where can I purchase a fire extinguisher?

  Portable fire extinguishers can be purchased at a wide variety of retail stores. Home improvement centers and hardware stores generally carry a good selection to choose from.

• How do I select a fire extinguisher?

  There are generally five types of fires. Fire extinguishers are labeled using standard letter or picture symbols that correlate to the type of fire they are designed for. A multipurpose fire extinguisher rated “A-B-C” is recommended for home use. If you're purchasing one for your business, consider what class of fire your business may encounter. For more information, visit our Fire Extinguishers webpage.
  
  Fire extinguisher ratings and uses:
  • Class A: Ordinary materials (e.g., wood, cloth and paper)
  • Class B: Flammable liquids (e.g., grease, gasoline, oil, and oil-based paints)
  • Class C: Electrical equipment (e.g., circuit breakers, appliances, and power tools)
  • Class D: Flammable metals (e.g., magnesium and aluminum)
  • Class K: Cooking media (e.g., vegetable oils and animal fats)

• Does SJFD service fire extinguishers?

  We do not service fire extinguishers. There are private fire protection companies that offer this service.

• Does SJFD offer child car safety seat checks and adjustments?

  We do not offer this service. To find more information and to find the nearest location for a child safety seat inspection, please see our Child Car Seat Safety webpage.

• Does SJFD offer CPR, AED, or First Aid training?

  We currently do not offer public training classes. However, the American Red Cross does offer a variety of safety classes including CPR, AED, and First Aid. For more information, please call 408-577-1000 or visit their Take a Class webpage.

• Can I donate to SJFD?

  While we are grateful for donation offers, we are not currently accepting any donations. Instead, we recommend that residents consider donating to those who have been impacted by fire:
  • Burn Foundation: The San Jose Firefighters’ Burn Foundation supports burn survivors throughout the Bay Area by means of response, prevention, education and rehabilitation. Donations can be made at www.firefightersburnfoundation.org.
  • Red Cross Donations: You can help fire victims through a monetary donation to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org/donate. The Red Cross cannot accept unsolicited material donations. Businesses wishing to make an in-kind donation of materials should go to www.redcross.org/contact-us/in-kindform.html.
  • Red Cross Volunteer Opportunities: For those who wish to donate time, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html.

• Can I volunteer for SJFD?

  We currently operate one volunteer program: San José Fire Explorers Post 888. This program is design for high school students (16-18 years old) who want to learn about the fire service and what it takes to be a firefighter. Explorers work with us to learn firefighting techniques, leadership skills, and much more—all while having fun and earning community service hours. Recruitment is held annually around October. To learn more, visit our Fire Explorers webpage.
  
  There are additional volunteer opportunities available through Santa Clara County:
  • San José Office of Emergency Management: Community Emergency Response Team (ages 18 and up)
  • Milpitas Fire Department: Milpitas Fire Explorer Program (ages 16-18 years)
  • Mountain View Fire Department: Community Emergency Response Team (ages 18 and up)
  • Palo Alto Fire Department: Community Emergency Response Team (ages 18 and up)
  • South Santa Clara County Fire District: Volunteer Program (ages 18 and up)
  • Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety: Explorer Post 417 (ages 14-20 years)
  • Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley: Fire Associate Program

• Where can I safely dispose of an old fire extinguisher?

  You can properly dispose of fire extinguishers through the County of Santa Clara's Household Hazardous Waste program.