San Jose Fire Fighters

04/12/2026

04/10/2026

San José Fire Fighters — rain or shine.

Crews knocked down a structure fire early Friday morning at a mobile home park in San José. Firefighters were dispatched around 6:15 a.m. to the 4200 block of North First Street for a one-alarm fire.

Quick, coordinated work kept the incident contained and prevented further damage. No injuries were reported.

Proud of our crews for getting the job done and protecting our community.

L230 San Francisco Bay Area Firefighter California Fire Fighter

03/27/2026

FF Mike Altman of the Chicago Fire Department, assigned to Truck 47, was critically injured March 16th while doing what he always did- putting others first. After some time in Cook County Hospital’s burn unit, he has tragically has passed away from his injuries.

03/27/2026

🚨 Several Local 230 members will be on the ground at — both attending and instructing — as we continue pushing our profession forward.

From March 29 – April 2 in Las Vegas, this training brings together some of the best minds in the fire service for real-world, hands-on learning.

Our members will be contributing to and learning from courses focused on:

🔥 Fire Ground Survival & Fire Fighter Rescue
🔥 Evidence-Based Fire Ground Operations
🔥 Confined Space Rescue (Pro Board certification)
🔥 Mass Casualty Incidents
🔥 Elevator Emergency Operations
🔥 Union member training and leadership development

This is the standard. Training that translates directly to the job and strengthens both our operations and our union.

Proud to see Local 230 continuing to lead at the international level — investing in our members, building leadership, and bringing it back to strengthen our department and our union.

FireService TrainToWin

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day CA Sparks. Thank you for your service 🫡☘️🇺🇸
Captain Robert Sparks was a 25-year veteran with the San José Fire Department. Halfway through the shift on Engine 28, Captain Sparks suffered a severe heart attack. Members of his company performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation trying to revive him and rushed to the hospital with Captain Sparks in the back of a Pick Up from Station 28. Despite the crew’s gallant efforts, he passed away.

03/08/2026

Rest in paradise Captain Francis 🫡🇺🇸

Captain Francis joined the San José Fire Department in 1968, promoted to the rank of Fire Engineer in 1970, and served as Fire Captain from 1974 until his retirement in 1999. Captain Francis was beloved in the San José Fire Department where he is remembered for the extra care and time he spared to check in with members of the community at every incident.
Captain Francis lived in the community he served and he valued his coworkers as family. His crewmembers and their families remember annual abalone diving trips at Van Damme State Park and the community will recall his tumbleweed snowmen in front of Fire Station 18.

03/05/2026

Today we honor the life and legacy of Retired San José Fire Captain Joseph “Joe” Roberts, who passed away on February 25, 2026.

Captain Roberts dedicated over 32 years of service to the San José Fire Department and left a lasting impact on generations of firefighters across California. Known by many as an instructor, mentor, and leader, Joe helped shape the future of rescue training and emergency medical care in the fire service.

Joe began teaching CPR and First Aid for firefighters in 1974, later introducing rescue practices to the San José Fire Department in 1979 and launching EMT training for the department in 1984. His commitment to innovation continued when he helped establish Urban Search and Rescue techniques and programs in San José in 1992, including the creation of the USAR apparatus assigned to USAR 5.

Beyond his operational contributions, Joe helped preserve the traditions and pride of the fire service. He was a founding member of the San José Fire Department Honor Guard and played the bagpipes across the US as part of the California Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums, honoring fallen firefighters and commemorating important moments in our profession.

Before joining the fire service, Joe served our country in the U.S. Army 91st Division and later as an Army Honor Guard.

With badge number 5, Joe represented one of the earliest generations of San José firefighters and helped build the traditions and professionalism that continue today.

Captain Roberts’ dedication to service, training, and the fire service brotherhood will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Captain.
We have the watch from here.

NeverForgotten RestEasyCaptain