Comments on: Firefighters Arnie Quinones & Ted Hall: A Hero Story

By: gonzo

gonzo — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:07:14 +0000

aunque sea un poco tarde pero mis mas sentido pesame para las dos familias que perdienos aus seres queridos yo fui UN INMATE DE AHI Y LES MANDO MIS MAS SINCERAS CONDOLENCIAS A TODOS LOS CAPITANES Y GUARDIAS DEL CDC

By: Celeste Fremon

Celeste Fremon — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:38:20 +0000

Hi, Lori,

Thank you for the note.

This is an old version that reflects what the CDCR thought to be true at the time. I have a newer version that is a product of the CDCR debriefing and additional LACFD info gained from interviews, but I have learned still more since writing it from someone who was there and wrote a detailed journal account, which was given to me. And likely that still doesn’t give a true picture.

In any case, I’ll put up a dislaimer on both posts as the last thing I want to do is add to the pain of your family and that of Arnie Quinones.

As you say, misinformation is easy to unwittingly put out, and hard to call back.

I have talked to a great many people since the fire occurred at Camp 16 and have heard so many times and in so many ways what a wonderful, brave, devoted, great-hearted, talented man your brother was—a real leader. The county has lost much in losing him and Arnie Quinones. But we all understand that what you and the rest of his family have lost is incalculable. Beyond words.

Thanks again for your note.

Celeste

By: Lori Hall Barrios

Lori Hall Barrios — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:11:45 +0000

The real version of events has not been made public and yours is inaccurate as accounted to his family by folks on that mountain at the time of the fire. Please stipulate that the investigation is in progress and until the incident report and official findings are made public posting theories and speculation of events and stating them as fact, does not help the investigation into this matter. Nor does it serve these brave men’s families as they grieve for their loved ones. Please state only facts and cite your sources or don’t post them as misinformation is hard to get back.

Thank you
A loving big sister

By: Don Schwenke

Don Schwenke — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:00:58 +0000

I never met Ted, but I live in Acton. I am so saddened by his passing. I hope they find the people that did this to him.
I truly believe that he is a hero!
Safe T Climb Don, we love you!

By: George

George — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:44:59 +0000

I did time at Mount Gleason from 2002 – 2007. I served as a fire fighter for two years until injuries to my knees forced me to man down off crew 16-2.

I was devastated to hear of Quinones and Hall’s passing; but proud. Proud to have known two real men. I was fortunate to be able to attend the memorial service for them at Dodger Stadium today. It was a heart rending event.

As much as it’s easy to say that doing time “aint no joke” I’m proud to have been able to serve on a crew as a firefighter. I learned alot from men the likes of Quinones and Hall. And carry the ethics I learned in camp out in the real world today.

Much love and respect,

George
Dragspoon, crew 16-2

By: Jerry Goudchaux

Jerry Goudchaux — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:59:20 +0000

My son is an Engineer in the L.A. County Fire Department, he knew both of these men socaially as well as working with them at times in his career…I can only say this is a devistating course of events which happened…fire fighters put their lives on the line every day. They are all brothers and sisters and go to bat for on another in these situations. Thank you Celeste for writing such a beautiful piece on these two men.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:41:33 +0000

What a lovely portrait of two brave, wonderful men. When I first read this story, I was already heartbroken over the news. But it was here that I learned that Arnie Quinones and his wife were expecting expecting their first child together. As a mother myself, I became all the more devestated about this tragic story. I am up in the wee quiet hours of the night nursing my own baby, and my thoughts and prayers always visit Loressa, her growing baby, and her family. I had to figure out a way to reach out…I mean I felt like I knew them after reading this. So my mom and I conceived the idea of a virtual baby shower. Jerry Wolak, a Fire Fighter at Fire Station 82 in La Canada, where Arnie was once stationed, is helping us to collect gifts that are delivered/mailed to the station by Friday, Septemeber 25th. We are encouraging the donation of gift cards for many reasons. It’s so easy to buy gift cards, even for small amounts, to retailers like Target, babyGap, BabiesRUs, online or in person. And gift cards allow Loressa to buy what she needs (whether it be useful OR fun!), and will enable her to get out of the house and get some good old fashioned retail therapy once her precious little baby arrives. We don’t want to take away from the funds that have been established for both Quinones and Captain Hall in any way, but we figured those donations would be put towards longer term needs, and we wanted Loressa to feel special, and showered with love! So if you would like to participate, please send gift cards (or gifts) to Station 82, 352 Foothill Blvd, La Canada CA 91011. Thank you.

By: Dee Ann

Dee Ann — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:02:03 +0000

Mt. Gleason CC#16 was full of trained fire-fighting inmates and experienced personel, and I will never understand why 55 inmates were trapped and two instructors killed in the Staion FIre. I understand that each fire can behave diferently, but everyone knew that forest and tinder surrounded Mt. Gleason. Everyone also knew there was only one curving, steep highway to reach the Camp. Inmates were evacuated on Saturday and then bought BACK to the Camp to almost perish on Sunday. WHY? WHY? Was it because the CDCR had no place to put these inmates so they just sent them back up the mountain?? I will be eternally grateful to Ted and Arnie for the sacrifice of their lives to help these inmates and staff. Some men give some, but these two gave Everything!
Does anyone have an adress or a phone number to call to find out the location/address of the Camp Gleason inmates as of now??? I have heard nothing from my loved one who was in camp the day it burned…He is scheduled to be released Oct. 10th and I have a package of “dress out” clothes that cannot be delivered to him, because I don’t know where he is located. Thanks for any help you can give me!

By: SAMUEL

SAMUEL — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:42:23 +0000

MT. GLEASON AND MT. WILSON. CLOSE IN GEOGRAPHY BUT MILES AWAY IN IMPORTANCE AND SOCIAL NECESSITY. MT. WILSON HAS SHINY STEEL TOWERS AND OBSERVATORY. THOSE TOWERS AND STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED FOR SOCIETY TO EXIST. MT. GLEASON WAS DISPOSABLE, WHY? MT. GLEASON HAD FLESH AND BONES-HUMANS. NOBODY CARED ABOUT MT. GLEASON. EVERYBODY WAS IN AN UPROAR OVER THE “PERIL” MT. WILSON WAS SUPPOSEDLY IN. I HOPE THE POWERS THAT BE, THE US FOREST SERVICE, THE LACO FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE “CORRECTIONS” DEPARTMENT, SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT KNOWING THAT THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT GETTING THOSE MEN OUT OF HARMS WAY IN TIME. OVER FIFTY MEN WERE “TRAPPED”. IF NOT FOR THE ACTIONS OF THOSE TWO INVOLVED AND CARING HUMANS, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHY OF MIND-BOOGLING MAGNITUDE. NOW THE FINGER-POINTING WILL START.

By: James and Elisa Vondra

James and Elisa Vondra — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:27:37 +0000

We are heartbroken at the loss of our friend Arnie. Words can’t describe the loss that we feel in our hearts. We look forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Lori, our hearts and prayers are with you. You are going to be a wonderful mother and we look forward to meeting your baby. Ozzie, you too are in our prayers. Mrs. Quinones, Arnie had alot of respect for you. You should be proud that you produced a warrior. Our lives are full of memories of all the good times we had together. Arnie, we will always remember your smile and your laugh most of all. It just lit up a room and made everyone happy. We miss you! James and Elisa Vondra