Watch CBS News

San Jose Fire Department Increases Staff On 4th of July

SAN JOSE (KCBS)— The threat of firework-related fires has the San Jose Fire Department taking precautions by increasing staffing this holiday weekend.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

Recent decreases in staffing levels, called 'brown outs', left the department with two less engine companies and one less firefighter on every truck, as of July 1st.

Fourth of July is an exception to those austerity measures, because according to San Jose Fire Department spokesperson Captain Mary Gutierrez, the fire activity is a lot greater.

The department said they are adding two extra brush patrols this holiday to respond to the amount of potential fires.

"The amount of fires reported can double and we get hundreds of calls for fireworks," she said.

Ironically those statistics contradict the fact that fireworks are illegal in San Jose and most other Bay Area cities for that matter.

San Jose Firefighters Union President Robert Sapien asked residents to be more vigilant and to access 911 early on if need be, obey the fireworks laws, and to monitor children that are playing near swimming pools.

Sapien hopes what may seem like common knowledge will help reduce the amount of accidents and injuries.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.