9/1/14 Labor Day Blessing & 'Hotshots 19'

Written by KC

Great to see you all at the box today for the Labor Day WOD 'Hotshots 19' and remember the firefighters who lost their lives in the Summer of 2013. We honor all of those who serve for us. Well done folks, that was a big one!

“Hotshots 19” Hero Memorial WOD

WHAT is a “hotshot” 

interagency hotshot crew (IHC), or simply hotshot crew, is type of handcrew of 20 firefighters specially trained in wildfire suppression tactics. Hotshot crews are considered an elite group among wildland firefighters, due to their extensive training, high physical fitness standards, and ability to undertake difficult, dangerous, and stressful assignments.  They often respond to large, high-priority fires and are trained and equipped to work in remote areas for extended periods of time with little logistical support.

When not on fire assignments, the crew performs project work such as prescribed burning and fuels reduction.

Living conditions while on assignments can be primitive. Fresh meals, soft beds, and regular showers are not to be expected. Field assignments away from home can last several weeks with daily work shifts averaging sixteen hours, but sometimes extending up to 48–64 hours. Sleep deprivation is common, as is routine exposure to dust, smoke, poison oak, extreme weather (both heat and cold), and other environmental hazards.[

Hotshots' crew vehicles become their homes during the peak fire season, when Hotshots may rarely spend more than two consecutive days at their own station. These vehicles, also known as Crew Hauls, Buggies, Crummies, or simply the Box, carry Hotshots along with personal gear, tools, and everything else necessary to make the crew self-sufficient for several days.

 On June 30, 2013, the Prescott Fire Department's, Granite Mountain hotshot crew perished in the Yarnell Hill Fire near Yarnell, Arizona. Nineteen of the twenty members of the crew were killed when their escape route was cut off by an approaching fire, all nineteen entrapped members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots deployed their fire shelters.[13]

Wildland Firefighters killed were:

  • Jesse Steed, 36
  • Wade Parker, 22
  • Joe Thurston, 32
  • William Warneke, 25
  • John Percin, 24
  • Clayton Whitted, 28
  • Scott Norris, 28
  • Dustin Deford, 24
  • Sean Misner, 26
  • Garret Zuppiger, 27
  • Travis Carter, 31
  • Grant McKee, 21
  • Travis Turbyfill, 27
  • Andrew Ashcraft, 29
  • Kevin Woyjeck, 21
  • Anthony Rose, 23
  • Eric Marsh, 43
  • Christopher MacKenzie, 30
  • Robert Caldwell, 23

 

 

Beautiful blessing by CherylAnn Niau MAHALO NUI!!! She blessed all the equipment and all of us! And great group for the WOD! We even got Cheryl Brost back in the box! Such a great day!!!

 

CrossFit AllStar