Senate Passes Boxer-Feinstein Resolution Honoring Fallen Los Angeles County Firefighters

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today passed a resolution by Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) honoring Fire Captain Tedmund D. Hall and Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones who lost their lives in the line of duty fighting the Station Fire.

As the largest fire in Los Angeles County history, the Station Fire has already burned more than 160,000 acres and damaged or destroyed 89 homes and 26 businesses in the Los Angeles area.

Senator Boxer said, “My heart goes out to the family and friends of Captain Hall and Specialist Quinones, who gave their lives to protect our communities threatened by the Station Fire. I know their loved ones are devastated by this loss, but I hope they are comforted in some small way by knowing that they died as heroes and we will not forget their sacrifice.”

Senator Feinstein said, “Captain Tedmund Hall and firefighter Arnaldo Quinones are true heroes. They gave their lives protecting the lives and the property of others, and we will never forget. I know I speak for all Californians when I say that I am deeply saddened by their deaths, and deeply proud of their service. My thoughts are with their families, their friends, and their colleagues at the Los Angeles County Fire Department.”

The text of the Boxer-Feinstein resolution follows:

Honoring the firefighters who sacrificed their lives while battling the Station Fire in Southern California in August 2009.

Whereas, in late August 2009, the Angeles National Forest and neighboring communities north of Los Angeles, California were engulfed by an intense wildfire, which came to be known as the Station Fire;

Whereas, beginning on August 26, 2009, the Station Fire, ignited by arson, has burned more than 160,000 acres of public lands and private property in Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest, including over 160 structures and homes.

Whereas, as of September 9, 2009 the Station Fire is the 10th largest in modern California history, and the largest wildfire in the modern history of Los Angeles County.

Whereas the Station Fire continues to threaten 12,000 structures in the National Forest and nearby communities like Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, Acton, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Littlerock, Sunland and Tujunga.

Whereas more than 8,000 fire personnel, 800 fire engines and approximately 40 helicopters, 13 fixed winged aircraft and 88 water tenders have been deployed statewide to assist with firefighting efforts.

Whereas the extraordinary effort made by Firefighters throughout the region contributed to the preservation of the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, a national landmark for astronomical research.

Whereas, Fire Captain Tedmund D. “Ted” Hall, aged 47, and Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones, aged 34, lost their lives in the line of duty fighting the Station Fire;

Whereas, Tedmund D. Hall joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department on April 22, 1981;

Whereas, during his time in the Los Angeles County Fire Department Tedmund D. Hall served the City of Lakewood, the City of Whittier, the City of La Puente, and the Department’s Command and Control team;

Whereas, in January 2001 Tedmund D. Hall was promoted to Fire Captain;

Whereas, Tedmund D. Hall is survived by his wife, Katherine, sons Randall and Steven, and parents, Roland Ray and Donna Marie Hall;

Whereas, Arnaldo Quinones joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department on August 6, 1998;

Whereas, during his time in the Los Angeles County Fire Department Arnaldo Quinones served the City of Palmdale, the City of Covina and the City of La Canada Flintridge;

Whereas, in December 2005 Arnaldo Quinones was promoted to Fire Fighter Specialist;

Whereas, Arnaldo Quinones is survived by his wife, Loressa, who is expecting their first child, and his mother Sonia Quinones.

Resolved, That the Senate

1.) Expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families, fellow firefighters and friends of Tedmund D. Hall and Arnaldo Quinones;
2.) Recognizes the noble and brave service that firefighters provide to every community in the United States;
3.) Honors the sacrifice made by Captain Hall and Specialist Quinones in giving their lives to protect Californians from the Station Fire.

###