KAYSHIN15

July 1st, 2013 at 3:35 AM ^

With the military and police officers. They run towards danger when everyone else run away from it. Prayers go out to their loved ones...

Stonecoldwolv

July 1st, 2013 at 3:56 AM ^

As a firefighter I warn everyone now, this fire season is already deadly it's going to get worse. We are super dry on the west coast. Please clear your homes at least 100 feet of any brush I prefer 300. When you are told to evacuate GET OUT so we can do our jobs. When we have to protect you we risk our lives and yours. We then can not protect your house. We thoughts and prayers are with those 19 families.

MSHOT92

July 1st, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^

a structure fire is one thing, but grasslands/wildland are the worst...I feel for you guys out west when those winds kick and the dry conditions make it impossible to predict. At least in a structure you eventually run out of fuel to some degree, the western fires just keep eating. Sad deal, stay safe, fight on. Good advice for sure.

XM - Mt 1822

July 1st, 2013 at 5:42 AM ^

can move so unbelievably fast and their intensity is likewise beyond description.  the lost firefighters are extremely well trained and expert at deploying those shields.  something very unexpected happened to this group of heroes that train to deal with the unexpected everyday.

may God bless their souls and the families they leave behind.

B1G_Fan

July 1st, 2013 at 6:03 AM ^

 The worst thing is when you're talking wildfire FF deaths they usually come in groups. They truly are underappreciated. These FF's where from the Hotshot fire crew and they do the nastiest work, on the nastiest fires all over the southwest. 

 

jcouz

July 1st, 2013 at 7:21 AM ^

I want to express my deepest sympathies to the friends and family of these 19 brave firefighters who lost their lives trying to ensure the safety of others.  You all are the true heroes and role models in our society.  Without people like you, this would not be the greatest country in the world to live in.  Much respect and appreciation for the job you do and the risks you take every day.

MGoblu8

July 1st, 2013 at 7:35 AM ^

When I first heard it on the news, I didn't think I heard it correctly. I wish I had. This is a terrible tragedy. Thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

erald01

July 1st, 2013 at 8:05 AM ^

Thats what pisses me off about this country, people that save our lives on daily basis never get appreciated and very underpaid...people are making millions now days for no reason, and these guys are still getting paid low wages...such a tragedy in Arizona, prayers and thoughts to their families

MSHOT92

July 1st, 2013 at 9:33 AM ^

and I don't have any insight as to what the emergency services are paid around the world, but I could say with reasonable certainty it's not enough compared to lawyers, politicians, corporate etc...problem is, because it's a city job that doesn't occur IN the offices, the money isn't earmarked. Big city makes sure big city gets paid, but 'service' industry is expendable. It's become so insane that some cities have reduced staffing to bare bones numbers or worse yet eliminated firefigthers and replaced them with PSO or public safety officer under the premis that it's cheaper and easier to train a police officer to fight a fire than to train a firefighter to arrest and investigate. While true...it puts heavier demands on law enforcement/fire protection.

And much of what emergency services is relegated to anymore is useless calls...and by useless I suggest 'lift assist' where an invalid or elderly person has fallen down and needs help getting up. No injury, no emergency, just a convenience call. One time, sure I can say that's just the nature of the job. But when the same person calls ten to fifteen times per WEEK...it's time for family interventions or assisted living.

Add to that life risk incidents like firefights often compounded by extreme conditions and fatigue, accidents happen. I guess it's no different than veteranarians versus medical doctors. Both endure similar education and bills... but most people would rather put an animal down vs paying thousands of dollars for a surgery so vets don't command the higher salary of MOST doctors...exceptions to every rule no doubt but it's crazy. If something doesn't affect the majority of people they refuse to pay what the job is worth. MOST people don't endure the harsh reality of fires, we fight about 25 per year in a community of 30K...and they are ever thankful when we put the fire out but most would balk at a firefighter making $120-200,000 per year. Everyone is going to argue they are worth more. I'd say many of these career firefighters certainly deserve more.

Boomer519

July 1st, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^

for the number of close calls I've had over the years. In fact I am sitting in physical therapy right now recovering from an accident in May. The thing is most of us love the job and our brothers so much we wouldn't do anything else.

74polSKA

July 1st, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^

Yet, there are probably hundreds of applicants every time there is a position open. If firefighters are so woefully underpaid, why are people lining up for the job? Maybe there are other benefits like getting to fulfill a sense of duty or lifelong dream that can't be measured in salary. I'm also sure that a percentage of firefighters are adrenaline junkies that couldn't get their fix from a regular 9 to 5 job.

I think some of your "useless calls" are a problem of our system. This is not meant to be political and it is second hand knowledge, but my elderly neighbor HAD to be picked up for dialysis by an ambulance or Medicare wouldn't pay for it. I don't know what their situation was or if this is even true, but I have no reason not to believe her husband.

So basically, would I risk my life for a firefighter's salary? No way, but I don't WANT to be a firefighter. It would be great if our dream jobs all paid six figures, but that's just not reality.

MSHOT92

July 1st, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^

Toledo has to turn away candidates and EVERY job has its ups and downs. Working as paid on call/volunteerish...I don't do it for the money, it's the pride, service, and interest from the time I was young...my son is likely following my footsteps too. That said the "system" is heavily flawed. As to dialysis I actually consider that a medical need. I was actually talkng about literal fall down and come pick me up and put me in my chair...I fell off the toilet, please wipe my butt and take me to my bed...sorry, we shouldn't do what in home or elderly care is intended for. But families don't want to pay for what we are responsible to provide for "free"
By no means is any call trivial yet some are downright abuse of 911 services. Calling for an ambulance to get a hospital stay and 3 meals from welfare/medicare...etc. what career guys risk for what they are paid is unfair compared to big politics as an example...any other analogies and spins could be drawn without doubt. These guys who perished went out with conviction and honor...or they would have run for their lives long before the shitstorm.

NMU Blue

July 1st, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^

The wind is always hard to judge, but a big gust is all it takes to turn "routine" into a tragedy. Those 19 were elite. For them to all get flashed over means something freakish happened. God bless all my brothers and sisters who place themselves in the path of danger. Two in, two out, and be safe.

Like It's 19BBY

July 1st, 2013 at 8:57 AM ^

I have an uncle that was a firefighter in Prescott, Arizona back in the day. He's since retired, but wow. My prayers are with the families who lost loved ones to this blaze and with the brave men still fighting it.

MGoBrewMom

July 1st, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^

These situations always renew the reality of how selfless firefighters are.

My dad is working this particular fire (he is a volunteer for search & rescue in Prescott) and called on his way out... told me at the time the wind was really bad. Ultimately that shift in the wind is what got them trapped, from what I understand.

Losing 1 firefighter is beyond awful. 19 is pretty much unfathomable.

Prayers.

RBones40

July 1st, 2013 at 11:23 AM ^

I live in Phoenix and this fire happened about 65 miles northwest of the valley in a small town called Yarnell. Half of the cities 500 homes were completely destroyed and this fire went from 8 acres to 6,000 acres in little over 24 hours. This was the worst wildfire ff fatality in 80 years in the USA. The Hot Shots were from Prescott AZ and were very prepared to fight fires like this one. The wind pattern changed drastically and caught them off guard and out of position. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected in Yarnell and the family and friend of the firefighters lost. These men were true heroes!

909Dewey

July 1st, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^

Take a moment to remember that most of the 150 work related deaths that will occur today are among fisherman, roofers, and construction workers.

Michigasling

July 1st, 2013 at 6:08 PM ^

Built in 1913 and off the beaten track, it's the site of an annual memorial tribute attended by fightfighters from all parts of the city.  But after 9/11 it took on a new life as a gathering place for all of us.  I couldn't help thinking about that this morning, all those firemen continuing up the stairs as they were helping so many others make their way down.  For those firefighters and families who may not feel appreciated, it's hard for us here not to think of them every time we see a firetruck go by or even the laughing guys pile out of the truck to pick up take-out.  I wonder if neighbors have left flowers today like they did then.