19 Firefighters Die In Arizona Wildfire

[pump305 32]

Tragedy has struck the Fire Fighting family once again. A Hot shot crew of 19 wildland fire fighters lost their lives today batteling a wild fire in Yarnell AR.  Being an ex USFS Fire fighter my heart and prayers are with the familys and dept members.

[x4093k 0]

R.I.P. Every FF who have passed away, condolences to family and friends. Stay Strong all involved in the Yarnell Fire. 

[x635 31]

Absolutely horrific. These brush fires are getting worse and worse over the past few years, and these guys paid the price. RIP.

[LAfan26 1]

R.I.P. brothers

[old medevac 5]

R I P all . we are not out of this season yet !  i just hope all go home . 

[nfd2004 25]

It has been reported that one of the events that led to the deaths of these firefighters were their radios. Is this a digital radio system ?

[Generic 6]

It has been reported that one of the events that led to the deaths of these firefighters were their radios. Is this a digital radio system ?

They were using analog conventional radios. One of the problems was that some radios were not programmed with the correct tone guard. Apparently, they did have some workarounds.

Here is a investigative video review of the incident. There is a lot that is known but a lot that is not known due to no survivors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSxSqjRmxIE#t=0

[nfd2004 25]

Thank you Generic for your reply. I had heard rumor that it might have been digital radios that had the problem.

I will pass that information on.

[old medevac 5]

good articles on FireEngineering.com  on the radios

[nfd2004 25]

Thank you. I'll check it out.