Fallen Firefighters Killed in Station Fire Remembered as Heroes

First In, Last to Go! A tattoo depicts a firefighters pride as he was memorialized Saturday.

As the County's largest wildfire continued to burn Saturday, two firefighters who died while battling the blaze were lauded during a memorial service at Dodger Stadium that included firefighters from as far as New York and distinguished guests as Vice President Joe Biden.

Captain Tedmund Hall - a graduate of Workman High School in Industry - and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones died Aug. 30 when their truck plummeted 800 feet into a canyon near Mount Gleason.

The men were trying to find an escape route for dozens of inmate-firefighters at Camp 16, which had become overrun by thick smoke and advancing flames from the Station Fire. The inmate-firefighters eventually made it out safely.

Hall, 47, and Quinones, 34, were remembered for their heroic efforts.

"There's a saying that all men are created equal," Biden said, "but then a few become firefighters. Well, Ted and Arnie had few equals."

In addition to Biden, a host of other local and state officials attended the memorial, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Barbara Boxer, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina and about 5,000 uniformed firefighters from across the country.

All characterized Hall and Quinones as veteran firefighters who were dedicated to their jobs.

"Every instinct tells us to run from fire and smoke," Schwarzenegger said. "These men have a sense of duty that is greater than the pull of primal instinct." The Governor stated that he likes action and these were men of action.

These men were great men "not because of their desire to surpass others at any cost," Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe said. "But because of their desire to serve others at whatever the cost."

Hall is survived by his wife Katherine and two sons, Randall, 21, and Steven, 20. Quinones is survived by his wife Loressa, who is about eight months pregnant with the couple's first child.

Schwarzenegger thanked both families for their sacrifices.

"You knew, as you said goodbye to Ted and Arnie each day that they might not come home," he said. "And still you supported them." While the two men can never be replaced, Biden assured the relatives of Quinones and Hall that they would one day draw strength and solace from Saturday's service.

"There is very little we can do today that is going to bring genuine solace to the empty void the families are feeling as I speak. ... but I also know the fire service," Biden said. "I know it well. It is not an exaggeration to say for the rest of your lives you will have them at your back."

Two memorials for the fallen firefighters were set up at the Elysian Park entrance to Dodger Stadium, featuring personal items from Quinones and Hall. Adorning Quinones' memorial was a pair of boots and a helmet with the words "wheelman" inscribed on it. Both belonged to Quinones.

Fire Fighter Specialist Rob Morales recalled the last time he saw Quinones alive.

"I watched as Arnie jumped in that truck and they drove down that road," Morales said. "I watched my friend deliver every promise he ever made: brave, strong and noble."

Quinones had a tattoo that said "First in, last out" said Biden.

He was also charismatic and playful, said Morales.

"It wasn't uncommon for him to come up, give you a great big hug and hold it way past the point where it was comfortable," Morales said.

When you asked him to let go, Quinones would just say, "I'm Puerto Rican, that's what we do."

On Hall's memorial, a lunch box from his childhood depicted a burning building and firefighters performing first aid on an injured man.

He had always wanted to be a fireman, according to Workman High School teacher Mike Kedulich. the last actions of Hall and Quinones were to tell the others to hunker down as they charged into harm's way, Biden said.

"Thank God we have people like that for the rest of us," he said.
Thousands f firefighters, many who sleep in the dirt on brush fires know the dangers that the Station Wildfire presented. Phenomenal rates of spread, super heated air, fire whirls and blinding smoke made this wildfire not only dangerous, but Los Angeles County's largest wildfire. All firefighters should take pride in their efforts to protect lives and property in the great State of California.