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.

Greater Alarm Structure Fire, El Monte CA

A large commercial structure fire in South El Monte yesterday in Los Angeles County Fire Departments jurisdiction at 9928 Haywood St. A 100' X 300' furniture store was completely destroyed by fire. Master streams were employed to halt the advance of the flames.

Photos Courtesy Tod Sudmeier, EPN

Traffic Collision, 7 Injured, 2 Critically, LAFD 66

A serious traffic collision occurred in the 2100 Block of Florence Ave in South Central Los Angeles. LAFD Task Force 66 extricated several patients from the wreckage, 2 were critical. Several children were assessed by paramedics at the scene.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, EPN

Air Tankers and Suppression of Wildfires

One of the most dramatic sights on a wildfire is the vision of an air tanker releasing its red payload of retardant near the fire. Behind this picturesque vision is a long history of science in the development of a valuable tool for firefighters - the use of fire retardant. Today retardant is used when appropriate to help suppress wildland fires.

Aerial drops of retardant have come a long way since the first recorded water drop in 1930, when a Ford Tri-Motor airplane used a wooden beer keg filled with water. Now air tankers can drop 500 to 2000 gallons of retardant at a time to help suppress fires. Helitankers, which are helicopters with built-in tanks, can drop up to 2000 gallons; retrofitted DC-10s have an 11,000 gallon capacity, and Boeing 747s 20,000 gallons.

Fire retardant is just one of many tools in the arsenal of firefighters. Like any other tool, it must be used under the right conditions and for the right job in order to be effective. Firefighters consider many factors in deciding which tools to use at a particular location and time to suppress a fire. Characteristics of the terrain, weather variables such as temperature, humidity, wind direction and force; the types of vegetation in the fire area; proximity to homes and other buildings; and the first priority of safety of the public and firefighters are all factors in choosing the right tools for the particular circumstances.

Retardant drops are most often used in extreme fire conditions. The retardant is usually dropped just ahead of the advancing edge of the fire and the flanks of the fire. This cools and so slows the fire, helping firefighters on the ground. It reduces the rate of spread and the intensity of fires, and slows larger, more damaging, and therefore can reduce the cost of fires. Often, using retardant to fight fires is the most effective and efficient method of assisting firefighters in protecting people, resources, private property and facilities. The remoteness of many wildland fires can delay the arrival of firefighting ground forces. Retardant drops can rapidly reduce the intensity and spread of the fire until firefighters can safely take action. Topography in the fire area and windy conditions are some of the factors limiting the effectiveness, and therefore the use, of retardant.

Although fire retardant is most often colored red or orange, sometimes a colorless retardant is used. The colored variety allows both the pilot and the firefighters on the ground to see where retardant has been applied. This helps the pilots in aiming their next drop and firefighters to know where to position themselves. The colorless variety is often used on roadside locations where color is not needed or desired or in the wilderness.

In 1956, water drop tests showed that conditions had to be near perfect for water to reach the ground and be effective. So specialists began to mix in chemicals to make the drops have the desired effect. Over 50 years of retardant use, research and development have evolved into the current products and practices. Today long term retardant is most commonly used in heavy vegetation and in some critical fire situations needing immediate response. This type of retardant consists of 85 percent water, 10 percent fertilizer salts ammonium phosphate or ammonium sulfate (not sodium chloride), and 5 percent minor ingredients such as colorant or fugitives (iron oxide -rust-, or a color that fades with exposure to sunlight), thickener (natural gum and clay), corrosion inhibitors, and dispersants. Foams and gels are also used, often in areas of lighter vegetation, on buildings and other structures such as fences or other resources. Foam is 99 percent water with 1 percent wetting agents, foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors and dispersants. Water enhancers absorb large amounts of water and dry slowly. They are good for protecting structures and for mop-up operations. Water enhancers consist of 95 to 98 percent water, and the balance a mixture of thickeners, stabilizers and other minor ingredients.

The fertilizer in the long term retardant may help in re-sprouting of vegetation if other conditions are favorable. Conversely, excessive fertilizer may cause a temporary "burn" on exposed vegetation. Retardant use can be a more cost-effective and readily available tool than some other methods in remote locations, and lighter on the land than a dozer line.

Retardant products that are used must meet strict specifications and are tested against a prescribed set of health and safety protocols. Those who apply fire retardant undergo extensive training in its safe and proper use. The USDA Forest Service has guidelines for the use of fire retardant near aquatic areas and habitat of Threatened and Endangered species to avoid or minimize any negative effects. Aerial application of retardant is avoided within 300 feet of waterways visible to the pilot. The effects of the aerial application fire retardant on human health and safety have been analyzed and evaluated and it has been determined that it does not pose a risk to the health and safety of the public or firefighters.

The use of fire retardant is a valuable tool in the firefighting arsenal. Fire managers evaluate the many variables of a particular fire and the resources and values that are threatened. Training, experience, and pre-planning allow them to choose the best response to the fire and the appropriate tools to use.

Station Fire Update

The Station Fire ,named for its initial proximity to a USFS Ranger Station. The Station Fire has burned over 250 square miles of land within the Angeles National Forest and near surrounding foothill communities including La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Acton, Soledad Canyon, Pasadena, Glendale and Sierra Madre. The goal of the Incident Management Team is to keep the fire west of Highway 39 and Angeles Crest Highway, east of Interstate 5, south of Highway 14, Pearblossom Highway, and Highway 138, and north of the foothill communities and the Angeles National Forest Boundary. The fire is moving into areas of the forest with no recorded fire history. The Station Fire is now the 10th largest fire in California since 1933. For a current fire perimeter map, on Google Earth, Station Fire Perimeter And a progression map is available at progression map.

The Angeles National Forest call center is being staffed 24 hrs a day. For additional information, please call 626-821-6700.

The originally planned firing operation below the Mt. Wilson area and from Cogswell Dam north to the Angeles Crest Highway were suspended for another day due to weather and burning conditions. The general route of this planned burn goes northerly from Cogswell Dam, parallel to Chileno Canyon toward Twin Peaks and Mt. Waterman. Some additional improvement of pre-treatment control lines is required to be fully anchored to other fire lines and appropriate natural barriers.

If the burnout operation is a "Go" today, the entire operation will executed under the direction of very experienced Operations Chiefs and operations supervisors up and down the line. Aerial ignition systems, if employed, will be supervised and coordinated by Air Operations, Safety and Operations Chiefs.

Air tankers and helicopters are committed in support of Wednesday's operation. Aggressive patrol and mop-up will continue along Angeles Forest Highway 2, westerly around to Mendenhall Peak, southerly to the Tujunga Canyons following along the fire perimeter easterly to Inspiration Point.

Suppression repair needs are being inventoried in all of the active patrol area. Mop-up continues for 300-feet in from the control fire lines. Smoke may continue to be seen these areas for a few days, and while the fire line is secure, continual mop-up and patrol will be needed for quite a few days ahead.

The Station Fire Incident Command Post completed it's move yesterday from Hansen Dam Recreation Area to the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area at 15501 E. Arrow Hwy. Irwindale, CA 91706.

Sink Hole Swallows LAFD Engine 60

Crews work to free firetruck from Valley Village sinkhole
September 8, 2009 | 7:52 am

Sinkhole Officials were trying to figure out this morning how to shut off water that was continuing to flow from a sinkhole in the San Fernando Valley that swallowed a fire engine.

This water main break occurred this morning on Bellingham Avenue at Hartsook Street near Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Valley Village. The truck – with one captain and three firefighters on board – was responding to a call about flooding in the 1200 block of West Hartsook when it ended up in the sinkhole, said department spokesman Devin Gales.

All four of the truck's crew safely escaped from the firetruck. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says a broken water main underneath the asphalt caused the sinkhole.

The street is closed and about 40 DWP customers in the area are without water. DWP crews were on scene and in the process of shutting off the water main. Meanwhile, a heavy rescue unit from the Fire Department arrived to pull the firetruck out of the sinkhole, Gales said.

A previous sinkhole developed Saturday night a few miles away on Coldwater Canyon Avenue, which is closed from Ventura Boulevard north to Moorpark Street. Commuters to the Westside are advised to avoid the area and, if forced to detour, stick to Beverly Glen Boulevard to the west and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the east rather than wind their way through unfamiliar mountain streets.

DWP crews welded the 62-inch water main that flooded residences in Studio City and washed away cars in a powerful torrent that lasted hours. Water as deep as 3 feet pooled in some places and ripped a huge gash in the roadway. Road repair crews were expected to begin rebuilding the most severely damaged portion of Coldwater Canyon, just south of Ventura Boulevard, late Monday or today.

It was not clear how long it would take to fix the roadway, which collapsed in large chunks in places.

Traffic officers will be stationed today at four intersections to guide motorists around the closures from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m., officials said.

Vehicle Fire, San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on Hwy 247 near Reche Rd in the community of Landers. The vehicle was fully involved upon arrival. Fire was quickly knocked down by the E19 crew. Pictured are FF Samantha Harper (nozzle) and FF Mark Aid. There were three occupants in the vehicle at the time of the fire. After being in the hot sun one of the occupants complained of feeling ill. She was 8 weeks pregnant. MBA ambulance was requested and transported 2 to Hi Desert Hospital. Photos by Tod Sudmeier