Due to a national shortage of radios and demands on the national cache system during this time period, it was requested from higher levels to acquire radios from lower priority fires to put radio kits together for emerging or more complex incidents. The Delta fire was one of these fires as it was dropping in complexity. An additional immediate mitigation besides what the ground support unit leader came up with, was to ensure if at all possible- that drivers entering operational areas had a radio or at least were escorted by someone that had communication with ICP.
Future mitigations:
Either add radio capacity to the national cache system and/or restructure contracts to require contracted employees to come equipped with a means of communication. In addition, if the risk involved is so great you can always turn down the mission if the risk cannot be mitigated. |
