Fallen LA County Firefighters Mourned

Angeles National Forest (myFOXla.com) - Funeral arrangements were pending today for two Los Angeles County firefighters -- one left behind a pregnant wife -- killed in a crash in the Angeles National Forest while battling the massive Station Fire.

Capt. Tedmund "Ted" Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County, and firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, 34, of Palmdale, were killed about 2:30 p.m. Sunday when the vehicle they were in went over the side of a road south of Acton, near Mount Gleason, and overturned, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

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To donate to a fund to help the families of the firefighters killed in the Station Fire fight, send to:

F&A Federal Credit Union
"Memorial Fund"
P.O.Box 30831
Los Angeles 90030-9972

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Their deaths occurred during "intense fire activity" near Mount Gleason, said county fire spokesman Mike Bryant. The pair were "overrun by a fast-moving fire which approached Fire Camp 16," according to a county fire statement.

Hall had been with county fire for 26 years, while Quinones had been with the department for eight years.

Hall started his firefighting career as a student in 1981 and had worked out of stations in Lakewood, Whittier, La Puente, La Canada Flintridge, Acton and Palmdale.

He is survived by his wife, Katherine, and two sons, Randall, 21, and Steven, 20, according to a county fire spokesman.

Quinones was expecting his first child with his wife Loressa, who is due to deliver in upcoming weeks, according to Capt. Michael Brown.

Quinones began working with the department in August 1998, and had worked in Palmdale, Covina and La Canada Flintridge.

County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman said Quinones and Hall were trying to protect the camp and were moving the truck when it plunged 800 feet down a cliff.

"Fortunately the other personnel that were there, although many suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation in the attempted rescue effort, they have all been treated and released from the hospital," Freeman said. "The families of both gentlemen expressed their appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of sympathy, tremendous support, as you can imagine, from all of the uniformed services, members of the public. The families are being supported by family and friends and members of the department.

"There will be a formal inquiry into the accident," he said. "I have asked Cal Fire to come in and assist us with that. It is a serious-accident review that will occur in several phases, and when appropriate we'll provide more information," he said.

In a statement, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed sadness over the deaths.

"Our hearts are heavy as we are tragically reminded of the sacrifices our firefighters and their families make daily to keep us safe," he said. "This is a devastating day for firefighters everywhere, and Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our gratitude and sadness. Our hearts go out to their loved ones."

County Supervisor Don Knabe said the community should pause to honor the fallen firefighters.

"Today we lost two of our own from the Los Angeles County family when two firefighters were killed on the front lines of the Station Fire," he said. "With singular focus, the men and women of the Los Angeles County Fire Department race into danger every day, fearlessly placing themselves between the public and harm's way."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also offered her condolences.

"These brave men put their lives on the line to protect the lives and property of others," she said. "I know I speak for all Californians when I say I am deeply grateful for their service, and deeply saddened by their deaths."

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, said the Assembly would adjourn today in honor of Hall and Quinones to remember "the heroic sacrifice" they made "performing the duties they loved -- duties that protected the lives and homes of countless others."