MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS
FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE FIREFIGHTER
On August 12, 2009, the Los Angeles County Fire Department announced the passing of its first African-American Female Firefighter, following a long-term illness. Tonya Burns became a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department on August 26, 1988, and became the pioneer for other female firefighters in the Department. She began her service career with the Oxnard Fire Department in 1985 as their first female firefighter, and served until September 10, 1987. Burns later became an Inglewood firefighter in October 1987 and served there until August 1988. She worked with these departments with the hope of becoming a Los Angeles County firefighter, which she accomplished in August of 1988. Burns was well known by many Fire Department members in her efforts to inspire many women to becoming firefighters. She also had many other personal accomplishments, including records in track and field.
Funeral arrangements have been scheduled as fallow:
Flag Ceremony
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Fire Station 129
42110 6th Street West
Lancaster CA. 93534
TB: 4105 H-5
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Funeral Services will be held on:
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
Lancaster Baptist Church ( Main Auditorium)
4020 E. Lancaster Blvd.
Lancaster, CA. 93535
TB: 4016 H-5
Interment will immediately follow on:
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
Joshua Memorial Park
808 E. Lancaster blvd.
Lancaster, CA. 93535
TB: 4016 B-6
Various Fire Department Representatives and Resources will be in attendance for these services with media encouraged to attend.
ON SCENE CONTACT: PIO/Captain Mike Brown (323) 247-0070
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2 comments:
I graduated high school with Tonya and we just had our 30 year reunion. She was missed and will be missed.
She was amazing athlete but she was witty, funny, and one was of 10 people to take Calculus our senior year. We we great friends and I will miss her but my memories of a great person will be cherished.
LeRoy Alaways
Chico High School Class of 79
I also went to high school with Tonya. She was an amazing young woman those years -- and not just because of her tremendous athletic abilities. She was funny, kind, intelligent, and someone who we all admired. In more recent years, she and I reconnected, and she was even more wonderful as a wife, mother and firefighter. I will miss her and my thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Mary Anne Hughes Davis
Nevada City, CA
Chico High Class of 79
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