Faulty Radio Communications may have led to Deaths of 19 Firefighters

An investigation into the deaths of nineteen firefighters in Arizona on June 30th has found that inadequate communication may nave played a significant role in their fate. The dead men, all members of an elite unit called the Granite Mountain Hotshots died when they were overrun by a wildfire near the town of Yarnell. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, takes a look at what the report has to say:
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It is a sobering and detailed report that investigators put together to try to ascertain what happened, why it happened and to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.

Because there were no survivors, investigators relied on recordings of radio transmissions, eyewitness accounts of fire incident managers and neighboring crews, including pilots flying tankers dropping flame retardant and helicopter pilots.

The report's key findings on communications:

"Radio communications were challenging throughout the incident. Some radios were not programmed with appropriate tone guards. Crews identified the problem, engaged in troubleshooting, and developed workarounds so they could communicate using their radios.

And, this telling conclusion:

"Radio traffic was heavy during critical times on the fire."

Did it mean the Hot Shots trying to escape to what they thought was a nearby safe zone - a ranch - weren't able to cut in on the traffic?

Here's more, quoting from the 122-page investigation report:

"Although much communication occurred among crews throughout the day, few people understood Granite Mountain’s intentions, movements, and location, once they left the black."

The black is considered a safe zone.

Quoting again from the report:

"The Team believes this is due to brief, informal, and vague radio transmissions and talk-arounds that can occur during wildland fire communications.

"Based on radio conversations, Operations and other resources had concluded the Granite Mountain IHC was located in the black, near the ridge top where they had started that morning. This resulted in confusion about the crews actual location at the time of search and rescue."

Finally, the investigative team made some key recommendations to the state of Arizona and the National Wildfire Coordination group.

Among them, increasing resource tracking, communications and real time weather information.

And, putting together an interagency task force to conduct a further analysis of what happened, as well as examining the human factors and wildland fire communications.
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The report describes radio communications during the time of the fire as being very challenging. (K7DB, Yarnell Hill Fire Investigation)

Reported by Mark Abramowicz, NT3V

Amateur Radio Operator Arrested for Impersonating a Police Office

 An Indianapolis area ham has been arrested after he was allegedly spotted pretending to be a cop at the funeral of a police officer who was being laid to rest. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the details:
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News of the death of an Indianapolis police officer shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute made headlines all last week. But, on the afternoon of his funeral another man in uniform stole the headlines. As law enforcement officers, friends, family and media gathered at the cemetery another man in blue was arrested for impersonating a police officer.
As it turns out these two men had more in common than first thought. They are both Indianapolis based Amateur Radio Operators. Arrested is 38 year old Minh Nguyen, callsign KB9WDY. He was arrested as he waited with Westside residents and other police officers as the miles long funeral procession neared the west side district headquarters when deceased officer Rod Bradway was assigned.
Rod Bradway was killed last week while attempting to save a woman and her child from an armed domestic partner. Bradways Amateur Radio call sign is KC9PFW. Authorities don’t believe the two men knew each other. The police badge and uniform was the common link to this sad commentary.
According to the arrest report, Police say Nguyen was taking photographs from a black 2012 Dodge Charger equipped with a siren, flashing lights and a two-way radio. Police found an AR 15 rifle in his car and later found guns, police uniforms and police equipment at his the home.
Police say he has had prior arrests on similar and other unusual behavior. The report said Nguyen also had “property stolen from the city of Indianapolis,” including property room slips and envelopes that the public does not have access to.
Minh Nguyen faces felony charges of impersonating a public servant and theft, which carries a sentence of six months to three years in prison. A conviction could also lead to revocation of his Amateur Radio license by the FCC if they choose to review the case.
Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker W8ISH.