July 2, 2013 – The IAFF and the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA) are reaching out to provide resources and support to the families of the 19 Prescott fire fighters and Granite Mountain Hotshots crew lost June 30 fighting the Yarnell wildfire.

In the deadliest single event since 9/11, the men were killed when the fast-moving wildfire overtook them. All had deployed their emergency shelters designed to protect them in an emergency circumstance.

The fallen include:

• Robert Caldwell

• Travis Carter

• Eric Marsh

• Jesse Steed

• Travis Turbyfill

• Clayton Whitted

• Andrew Ashcraft

• Dustin Deford

• Christopher MacKenzie

• Grant McKee

• Sean Misner

• Scott Norris

• Wade Parker

• John Percin

• Anthony Rose

• Joe Thurston

• William Warneke

• Kevin Woyjeck

• Garret Zuppiger

The team’s only survivor, Brendon McDonough, was away from the fire line at the time of the incident.

A memorial is being planned for early next week to remember the 19. The IAFF will post details as soon as they are available. A web site has been created with updates on the fallen fire fighters and the Yarnell Fire.

“In the face of a tragedy of this magnitude, our focus remains with the families and our members,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “We are all in mourning and doing what we can to help each other cope.”

The Yarnell fire – which has burned more than 8,000 acres and is 0 percent contained – began Friday, June 28 when a lightning strike ignited dry vegetation. The Granite Mountain Hotshots team were all members of the Prescott Fire Department in Arizona and had been dispatched to the scene when the worst happened. It is the deadliest single wildfire event since 1933 when 29 were killed in Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

The IAFF has sent a team to join PFFA President Tim Hill, PFFA Executive Vice President Bryan Jeffries and other Arizona members to coordinate member and family assistance.

A liaison has been assigned to each of the families to shield them from the media and other well-wishers and to assist with service arrangements.

The IAFF is also working to organize the memorial for all 19 fallen fire fighters. Honor Guards and Pipe and Drum Bands are already coordinating participation through the PFFA.

Meanwhile, multiple crews from across the state of Arizona are helping staff the Prescott fire stations as the families and members cope with the magnitude of this tragedy. Crisis counselors have also been made available to the families and the members for critical incident stress management.

As with many tragedies like this one, there is an outpouring of support. The IAFF is cautioning well-wishers who want to donate to the families to be careful of fraudulent charities.

The IAFF is asking that donations be made to the 501(c)3 relief fund organized by the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association and Prescott Fire Fighter’s Charities. One hundred percent of all tax-deductible donations will benefit the families of the fire fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. To contribute, make your individual or corporate donation at any Chase bank using the following account information: United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association Account #987218757.