San Jose Fire Fighters

09/18/2026

Rest in Paradise Captain George Welch

Died in the Line of Duty:

September 18, 1929

Cause of Death:

On-Duty Heart Attack

In Memorium:

Engine Co. No. 2 received a midnight alarm of fire from a cottage at 430 North 4th Street. As the company arrived on the scene, Captain Welch suffered a heart attack and subsequently collapsed. Members of his company tried vainly to revive him, while other crews extinguished the fire.

Captain Welch was a San José native, born in 1861. Appointed Extraman in 1896, George Welch at his death was the oldest man in the department in point of service, having been stationed at North 3rd Street (Engine 1 until 1908, later Engine 2) for 33 years. He suffered a broken leg and head injuries in a porch collapse at the 1916 Gillespie Mill fire. In 1922 Welch became acting Captain, a rank made permanent a few months before his death.

09/15/2026

Yesterday, Fire Fighters and police officers from across California, including our brothers and sisters throughout the South Bay and Bay Area, showed up with one clear message: Governor Newsom, sign AB 1383.

The bipartisan support is clear. Firefighters and police officers dedicate their careers to protecting our communities, often sacrificing time with their families and taking a tremendous toll on their minds and bodies along the way.

AB 1383 keeps a promise to California’s public safety professionals. After a career of service, they deserve the opportunity to retire with dignity and enjoy their hard-earned retirement with the families who sacrificed alongside them.

Today, California firefighters stood united.

Governor Newsom: Sign AB 1383. Let’s finish the job.

LaborStrong UnionStrong

09/11/2026

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a day that forever changed our nation and the fire service.

San José Fire Fighters have a long and proud history of showing up when others need help. In the aftermath of 9/11, several of our members traveled to New York. They worked at Ground Zero, attended funerals, and stood shoulder to shoulder with the families and fellow fire fighters mourning the 343 FDNY members lost that day.

Twenty-five years later, we must never forget what September 11 means to our profession. We remember the lives taken that morning, the courage and sacrifice of those who answered the call, and the many first responders who later became ill or lost their lives because of their service at Ground Zero.

Several of our members will be in New York representing Local 230 and honoring what this day means to each of us. Others will gather at the Patriot Day commemoration in San José. Wherever you may be, please take a moment to reflect, remember those who came before us, and give thanks for the traditions of service, courage, and brotherhood they entrusted to us.

It is now our responsibility to carry those traditions forward and ensure future generations understand the meaning of Never Forget.

May we always honor their service, their sacrifice, and their memory.

Fraternally,

—
Jerry May
President

09/10/2026

RIP Chief Engineer Brown 🙏

Cause of Death:

On-Duty Vehicle Accident

In Memorim:

Perhaps the best-liked Chief Engineer the San José Fire Department ever had. Chief Brown was described as “a most zealous and efficient officer”; “a public official nearest the ideal”; “personally one of the most popular men in the city.”

Son of an earlier Chief of both the Police and Fire Departments in San José, born in San José in 1873, Chief Brown grew up in and around firehouses. Appointed Fireman of Franklin Engine 3 in 1886, he became Foreman in 1898. For the next three years he was appointed Fire Chief.

Popular though he was, he was not without enemies in the rough-and-tumble ward politics of the day. Fired in 1904 for alleged abuses in department disciplinary procedures, he was restored to his post when a new city administration took over in July 1908.

Returning from the Coast Convention of Fire Chiefs in 1910 Chief Brown lost control of his Winton Chief’s car near South San Francisco. It overturned, crushing him beneath it.

His funeral procession down San José’s First Street, a mile and a half in length, witnessed by thousands, was unique in local history. A monument to his memory, paid for by popular subscription, can be seen beneath the shade trees of Oak Hill Memorial Park. Also liquidated by popular subscription was the mortgage with which his widow was left by his death.

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

🚨 CALLING ALL CALIFORNIA & SAN JOSE FIRE FIGHTERS 🚨

We need you at the State Capitol.

AB 1383 is about protecting the retirement security of California firefighters and their families. We’ve worked hard to move this legislation forward, and now is the time to show up, stand together, and make our voices heard.

🔥 RALLY FOR AB 1383
📅 Monday, September 14 at 1:00 PM
📍 West Steps of the California State Capitol
👕 Class B uniforms — union polos if your department restricts uniform usage

San Jose Fire Fighters — we need a strong Local 230 showing. California firefighters from across the state will be standing together at the Capitol, and we need everyone who can attend to be there.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER:
cpf.org/1383rally

Our strength comes from our numbers. Show up. Stand together. Support AB 1383.

09/05/2026

Thank you, Supervisor Lee, and everyone in labor who helped put together another great Labor Day BBQ!

Today is about celebrating working people and recognizing the contributions each of you makes to the labor movement. The wages, benefits, protections, and working conditions we have today were built by generations of workers who stood together—and it’s up to all of us to keep that work moving forward.

Proud to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in labor as we celebrate the strength, solidarity, and sacrifice of working people.

Happy Labor Day from San Jose Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 230! 🇺🇸✊🔥

09/03/2026

🏃‍♀️ Local 230 Family Running the NYC Marathon to Help End Alzheimer’s

On November 1, 2026, the wife of one of our Local 230 members will take on the New York City Marathon—26.2 miles with a purpose far greater than crossing the finish line.

She’ll be running as part of the Alzheimer’s Association Team, raising awareness and critical funds to support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

She has set a fundraising goal of $5,000, and we’re asking our Local 230 family, friends, and supporters to help her reach it.

Our union is more than our members—it’s our families and the community that stands alongside us. We’re proud to support her as she takes on this incredible challenge for an important cause.

💜 26.2 miles. $5,000 goal. One mission: help end Alzheimer’s.

Please consider donating, sharing, and cheering her on as she heads to New York!

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.