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VP Biden Joins Over 50,000 to Honor Fallen Brothers Hall and Quinones

 

 

Vice President Joe Biden promised to support firefighters in their time of need, as he joined from around the world at Dodger Stadium to pay respects to two firefighters killed in the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.

ted-hull-and-arnie-quinones-2Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman in promising that authorities will find the arsonist responsible for starting the brush fire that killed Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Tedmund Hall and Los Angeles County Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones.

"Let us continue to demonstrate the courage and bravery Ted and Arnie showed us. Let us be vigilant in the hunt for those responsible for starting this fire, " county supervisor Don Knabe said. "We will find you."

Hall, a 47-year-old San Bernardino resident, and Quinones, a 35-year- old Palmdale resident, were killed when their vehicle went off a road and over a cliff at Mount Gleason. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department launched a homicide investigation after authorities determined that the Station Fire was the result of arson.

Biden promised "we will give the Teds and Arnies all the support they need, the equipment the need, the capacity they need, for we owe them."

"You knew, as we said goodbye to Ted and Arnie each day that it might be for the last time. You knew that they might not come home. You lived everyday with that uncertainty," Schwarnezzeger said. "You still supported them and the work that they loved so much — and the work that kept us all safe."

Freeman said a homeless man went to the Los Angeles County Fire’s Palmdale station and donating "his last two dollars" to the wives of Hall and Quinones.

A tearful brother, Ozzie Quinones Jr., said "I am so honored to have time spent with a brother that was more than a hero to me. He was the largest superstar, the largest movie star, the largest man to me.

"I just want to say thank you for all, form the bottom of our hearts. He is gone but he will never be forgotten.

In its 15th day, the Station fire has burned more than 160,000 acres and is 84 percent contained at a cost of more than $88 million to fight.

Posted in LODD

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9/11 and the Forgotten (The Secret List)

From www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009 

-Hey,
8 years ago.
When we recall the World Trade Center attack, the  Pentagon attack and the hi-jacked crash in Pennsylvania on the anniversary of Sept. 11, we get angry. Or we should. If we don’t, that’s a real problem.

So first and foremost, we take time to remember all those murdered on 9/11 along with the Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS Members murdered in the Line of Duty.

We also take time to remember those who survived and those who are survivors of those murdered.

There is also a group of THOUSANDS of Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS Members who live 9/11 every day. Most who it seems, have been forgotten. They along with other support workers, are suffering from major upper respiratory illnesses, some of them life threatening, that were contracted from inhaling the air at Ground Zero. It started with the first arriving company, police officer and EMT and continues today.

For me, I will NEVER FORGET the statements by "officials" claiming there was no harm being caused to those breathing the fumes. Elected and appointed idiots who think that we would believe their crap.

Incredible.

What’s more incredible is that they were believed by the clueless majority-and those who might have to write checks or actually TAKE responsibility. WTF?!

For now, responders receive federally funded monitoring and treatment, but this "system" is in a precarious situation. Funds are allotted annually, and next years funding could be cut or not granted at all, leaving many ill responders with nothing. Nothing. Congress is also considering a bill that would establish permanent Federal funding for 9/11 medical monitoring and treatment, giving workers and lower Manhattan residents some long-term health resources. Without that, some may have nothing.

Congress needs to be held to the fire in TAKING CARE of those who responded, gave their lives-or are GIVING their lives in helping others. Ask your member of Congress where they are on the issue?

The James Zadroga Act, named for an NYPD Detective who died as a result of illnesses contracted while operating at Ground Zero, has support in both houses of Congress from the New York and New Jersey delegations and lobbying muscle from the unions, but it appears to inspire little action from other lawmakers. It seems that some feel that it’s a NY and NJ problem, not "their" problem.

What happened to 9/11 being an AMERICAN PROBLEM?

Make the call. Find out where YOUR elected officials are and what they are doing-and will do..

You’ll also LOVE the fact that the bill has also lost some of its supporters from last year; it was shelved in October when Congress turned its attention to a $700-billion bailout package for Wall Street.

How’d that work out? We’re just say’n.

If you are interested in the politics of this, GOOGLE the "9/11 Health" and you’ll find plenty. I know there is ALOT to this issue and to some it is VERY complicated. But sadly, it reminds me of how we treat many war veterans and now, 9/11 survivors, and those who are dying a slow death-as they too were attacked on 9/11/01. They just didn’t die soon enough for the politicians.

As far as we are concerned, we just wanted to remind all of The Secret List members that NEVER FORGETTING, as Rick L says, means NEVER FORGETTING. And as a part of that, it means never forgetting:
- who attacked us.
- why they attacked us.
- who gave their lives that day.
- who continues to suffer each and every day.
- and who, amongst all of our members of Congress and Senate actually care enough to support them.

There is a clear moral obligation on the part of the Federal Government to take care of all those genuinely affected by 9/11, both physically and mentally.  8 years later-how are your local Federally elected officials responding?

Ask’em.

Take Care,
BillyG
The Secret List 9/10/09
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Posted in Brotherhood, Firefighters, Never Forget, WTF?

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Bye, Glenn.

Strebel Glenn left us yesterday. 

It’s a tough thing when a brother passes.  It’s even worse when it happens way too soon. 

Those of us who know Lt. Glenn Strebel of the Barrington Fire Department see him as a rock.  It’s hard to think that a guy so strong both physically and mentally could be brought down so early by a rare and sinister cancer.  In the prime of our careers it can be hard to face the fact that we are, in fact, mortal.  Our time on Earth is truly limited, and we need to abide by the cliché “Live every day like it’s your last.”

I remember Glenn as highly-motivated,  extremely dedicated, and completely committed to his community and his peers.  Much more a leader than a follower, Glenn leaves us a legacy filled with intensity and pride.

And mischief.  One of the first (of many) practical jokes played on me as a rookie unfolded in the bunkroom.  Glenn had replaced the main structural components of my bed with empty pop cans.  When I plopped into bed, the whole thing collapsed.  Welcome to the family.

Fire Lieutenant, Shift Commander, Rescue Diver, Fire Investigator, Fire Prevention Bureau, Haz Mat Tech- and so much more.  Glenn managed to accomplish so much in his relatively short time here with us- and that’s something of which we might all take note.

Our deepest sympathy and thoughts and prayers rain out over his family and friends, and to his brothers and sisters in the fire service.  As a family, we are never, ever alone- a realization that brings comfort in these times of hurt and pain and tears.

Bye, Glenn..   See you soon, my brother…

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Posted in Firefighters

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By us … For Us …

Welcome to Fire Daily. 

It’s a place to share in all that embodies who we are- firefighters.  Share in the senses:

It has the sounds of a wailing Q or the beckoning crackle unseen through the smoky hallway ahead. 

It showcases the sights of low-rolling angry smoke and sooty faces grinning from ear to ear.

That “combo smell” of wet and burnt inside the structure soon after our victories- eerily similar to the odor inside the firehouse after all is cleaned and readied for the next battle. Barrington Lieutenant helmet

The numbing tingle inside the frozen fingertips of our iced gloves while rolling supply line in the dead of winter, and the sweet taste of Scotty’s “Garlic Stoup” simmering in the stock pot in the firehouse kitchen.

But let’s not forget the sixth sense of firefighting- common sense.  It’s arguably the most overlooked sense we have, and the one that will most surely get us all home at the end of the day.

So, do you have something to offer? Jump right in, we’re ready for you!

FireDaily.com  By us … For us …

J.

WordPress Tags: Welcome,Fire,Share,senses,hallway,odor,winter,Garlic,Stoup,Jump,showcases,victories,firehouse

Posted in Brotherhood

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