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Arizona firefighters’ families sue over deaths

By WTOP Staff

FELICIA FONSECA
Associated Press

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The families of a dozen Granite Mountain Hotshots are suing Arizona public agencies over the deaths of 19 men, and trying to force changes to ensure the safety of firefighters.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed this week seeks damages for funeral costs, pain and suffering, and lost income. It also seeks a definitive answer on what went wrong during last year’s Yarnell Hill Fire.

“The families want to ensure they understand clearly what happened, why it happened and to ensure that whatever needs to be done now or in the future to avoid tragedies like this is indeed done,” Pat McGroder, an attorney for the families, said Thursday.

The families had notified the state, Yavapai County and the Central Yavapai Fire District of a possible lawsuit in December, offering to settle for more than $220 million. They also wanted changes in fire suppression techniques that would boost safety on fire lines, better equipment and a program that would use the Hotshots’ deaths as a learning tool for other wildland firefighters.

McGroder said the state rebuffed efforts by the families to talk openly and honestly about the fire that trapped the Hotshots in a brush-choked canyon outside Yarnell, destroyed 127 homes and scorched 13 square miles.

The defendants named in the lawsuit either declined comment Thursday or did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An attorney for the Central Yavapai Fire District, Nick Cornelius, said in December that he didn’t believe there is a basis for claims against the agency or its staff.

The deadline to file a lawsuit is Monday, the one-year anniversary of the firefighters’ deaths. Earlier this week, more than 160 property owners in and around Yarnell sued the state, saying it failed miserably in its management of the lightning-sparked blaze.

A report by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health reached that conclusion in a report on the wildfire. An earlier investigation commissioned by the Arizona State Forestry Division found that state fire officials communicated poorly but followed proper procedures when the Hotshots were killed.

Gov. Jan Brewer used caution in addressing potential lawsuits earlier this month. She said the agencies that produced the reports did a good job and that the deaths were an unfortunate, horrific tragedy that might spur change.

“I think that eventually it will come to the conclusion that certain, possibly different methods, techniques — call it what you wish — will be improved,” she said.

The families’ lawsuit contends that fire managers didn’t act quickly enough to extinguish the blaze, failed to have adequate air resources and staff on hand, didn’t make the safety of firefighters a top priority and did not alert the Hotshots to the erratic fire behavior and wind that day.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in Maricopa County Superior Court include widows and fathers of 12 of the 19 Hotshots. They are: Juliann Ashcraft, Claire Caldwell, Krista Carter, Michael Mackenzie, Grant McKee, Daniel Parker, John Percin, Desiree Steed, Stephanie Turbyfill, Roxanne Warneke, Carl Whitted and Joseph Woyjeck.

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Associated Press writer Bob Christie in Phoenix contributed to this report

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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