The wildland firefighter Hot Shots http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130701-hotshot-granite-mountain-fire-firefighters-arizona-hotshots-19/ are the elite, premier ground crews that fight wildfires. They are well trained and schooled in emergency procedures. They are required to have training that requires them to get into their wild fire shelters http://www.usatoday.com/interactive/2480299/ within 30 seconds. I was introduced to this concept in a murder mystery by Nevada Barr: Firestorm http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/nevada-barr/firestorm.htm.
These groups can be deployed throughout the country, and have, in fact, worked in Texas when we had horrible wildfires, such as the Bastrop fire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastrop_County_Complex_fire.
Some years after I read Firestorm, I saw a program on PBS about the female Hot Shot groups http://video.pbs.org/video/2006599346 of the Apache tribe. I hope this link takes you to that show, about Apache 8. It is a really good show about the Hot Shots, if you do not know about them. If the link does not work, look for the Apache 8 on PBS.
This week, a tragedy has brought national attention to a team of hot shots, the Granite Mountain Hot Shots http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/granite-mountain-hotshots-1372692680-slideshow/ out of Prescott, Arizona. Of the 20 members of the group, 19 were overcome by fire at the Yarnell Hill Fire. http://www.abc15.com/gallery/news/news_photo_gallery/yarnell-fire-photos-wildfire-erupts-near-yarnell-ariz.
I cannot imagine the pain and grief that the family, friends and community of the Granite Hill Hot Shots are experiencing. From what I am learning, the Granite Hill Hot Shots were part of the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/fire/. The lone survivor was deployed to move equipment, if I understand the story.
I cannot imagine this person's grief and survivor's guilt. God bless him and allow him to understand he has a mission, as a survivor, to help all of us understand what happened, and what could have been different.
I am so sorry for this community. This is a tragedy beyond understanding. It is so painful to consider. My heart and prayers are with this community, the family and friends of the hot shot heros. My prayers are also with the survivor, who will have to endure so much pain as a survivor. He will have relief, and guilt from the relief. God, give him strength and understanding.
To the community of Prescott, AZ, I can only say my prayers and thoughts are with you, and thank you. It is so difficult to have heros that give their all to help the rest of us.
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