CSFA News: Medal of Valor ceremony Friday, October 15, Sacramento

                             

#California #Heroes – including Station Fire fallen Los Angeles County firefighters Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones to be honored at Valor Awards ceremony in Sacramento 

Contacts: Mike Esparza, CSFA Valor PIO – (951) 538-3293 or Gary Giacomo, CSFA Staff – (916) 410-1394

Sacramento -- On Friday, October 15, 2010, California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA) will recognize firefighters, peace officers and civilians from throughout the state who have exhibited great courage in order to save the life of another. CSFA will present these heroes with the prestigious CSFA Medal of Valor at a dinner banquet at the Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn, 300 J Street in Sacramento. Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries (R – Lake Elsinore), a former firefighter, will act as Master of Ceremonies.  Attending dignitaries, include California State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover, Matthew Bettenhausen, Secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, and police and fire chiefs.

Los Angeles County firefighters, Captain Ted Hall and Engineer Arnie Quinones, will be honored posthumously. The two died in the devastating 2009 Station Fire, while protecting fire camp personnel from the approaching fire storm.
About CSFA
Headquartered in Sacramento,  California State Firefighters’ Association, founded in 1922, is California’s oldest statewide fire service trade association representing all facets of the California fire service with a variety of benefits and legislative advocacy.  For more information visit www.csfa.net/valor.

EVENT SYNOPSIS

PROGRAM: Opening ceremony (featuring firefighter honor guard and bagpiper), welcoming remarks, dinner and presentation of awards. Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries will read a brief description of each heroic incident before the presentation of the Valor Medal (see next page for a list of recipients by geographic area).
VISUALS: Uniformed firefighters and police officers, firefighter honor guard and bagpiper, antique steamer fire engine and trained Dalmatian dog.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2010.
WHERE: Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn, 300 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

2010 CSFA Medal of Valor Award Recipients

(Ordered by geographic location of incident)

CENTRAL VALLEY:

David Braga, civilian

Merced

Rescued a 2-year-old from a burning building

Officer Matthew Suehowicz

Sacramento Police Department

Officer Richard Kawasaki

Sacramento Police Department

Rescued trapped accident victim out of burning vehicle

David Ruhkala, civilian

Rocklin

Rescued a mauling victim from a pit bull

INLAND EMPIRE:

Officer Dawson Smith

Officer Brett Stenneth

Riverside Police Department 

Entered a burning house to rescue a barricaded suspect overcome by smoke.

Sergeant Robert Casas

Sergeant James Porter

Deputy Shaunna Ables

Deputy Adam Grimwold

Deputy Scott Andrews

San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department

Dale Sandoval

San Bernardino Fire Department (Off Duty Fire Mechanic)

First Sergeant Billy Davidson

United States Marine Corps

Rescued 2 trapped accident victims out of burning vehicles

LOS ANGELES/VENTURA COUNTY AREA:

Firefighter Guillermo Garay

Engineer Graham Dunbar

Oxnard Fire Department

Rescued trapped accident victim seconds before Metrolink train hit the vehicle.

Captain Tedmund Hall (posthumous)

Los Angeles County Fire Department

Oakhills

Arnaldo Quinones (posthumous)

Firefighter/Specialist

Los Angeles County Fire Department

Palmdale

Died in the Line of Duty protecting fire camp personnel from approaching fire storm

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:

Tom Allman

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department

Ukiah

Rescued trapped accident victim out of burning vehicle

Dustin Hammons, civilian

Del Norte County

Pulled elderly woman from burning motor home

Officer Rodney Richards

California Highway Patrol, Mt Shasta office

Officer Jason Smith

California Highway Patrol, Mt Shasta office

Perry Nitz, civilian

Redding

Edward Workman, civilian

Wynndel, BC, Canada

Rescued trapped accident victim out of burning vehicle

ORANGE COUNTY:

Steven King

Firefighter Orange County Fire Authority

Rescued elderly woman from a house fire (while off duty)

SAN DIEGO AREA:

Officer Salvador Gutierrez

California Highway Patrol, Oceanside office

Rescued trapped accident victim out of burning vehicle

Officer Chad Sakamoto

Police Officer, National City Police Department

Rescued a driver from a burning vehicle

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA:
Samuel Armerding
Police Officer, Oakland Police DepartmentRescued unconscious accident victim out of a burning vehicle