Most of the monetary fine that was assessed against the Arizona State Forestry Division as a result of the 19 firefighter fatalities on the Yarnell Hill Fire near Yarnell, Arizona on June 30 will be given to the employee’s dependents or their estates if the employee did not have any dependents.
On Wednesday the Industrial Commission of Arizona approved the recommendations of the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) to impose fines totaling $559,000 on the Arizona State Forestry Division which had responsibility for the suppression and management of the fire. The $559,000 includes $25,000 for each firefighter that died, to be given to their family or estate.
The reports released Wednesday pointed out many problem areas which may have contributed to the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots becoming entrapped and killed by the fire.
Not nearly enough to supplement the loss of a “bread winner” in a family…. Much less the loss of a father, son, brother, uncle….
Hopefully more compensation will occur via different avenues…
Thank you for clarifying this.
It’s the right thing to do. (I was worried the state would simply shuffle the money from one agency to the other …)