Law Offices

Offices:
Scottsdale, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona

KNAPP & ROBERTS

A Professional Corporation

Website: rattorne!s"co# E$#ail: na%%& rattorne!s"co#

.444 North :aine! )enter 2ri3e, S(ite -/7 Scottsdale, Arizona .7+7. @>.,A ==-$4/44

November 14, 2013 'a!or 'arlin K(! endall Prescott )it! *all CITY OF PRESCOTT +,- So(th )ortez Street Prescott, Arizona ./0,0 2arrell Willis, Wildlands 2i3ision )hief GRANITE MOUNTAIN IHS CREW -4,, 5ron S%rin6s Road Prescott, Arizona ./0,7 :o3ernor ;anice K" Bre<er OFFICE OF THE ARI ONA GO!ERNOR -4,, West Washin6ton Street Phoenix, Arizona .7,,4 To# *orne, Arizona Attorne! :eneral OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERA" -+47 West Washin6ton Street Phoenix, Arizona .7,,4 Wend! S#ith$Ree3e, 2irector ARI ONA DI!# OF EMERGENCY MGMT# 7/0/ East 'c2o<ell Road Phoenix, Arizona .7,,.$0>=7 )hi% 2a3is, )hair#an of the Board YA!APAI COUNTY $D# OF SUPER!ISORS -,-7 8air Street Prescott, Arizona ./0,7 Ana Wa!#an$Tr(9illo, )ler of the Board YA!APAI COUNTY $D# OF SUPER!ISORS -,-7 8air Street Prescott, Arizona ./0,7 1!nn '(lhall, )it! )ler Prescott )it! *all CITY OF PRESCOTT +,- So(th )ortez Street Prescott, Arizona ./0,0 2an 8rai9o, 8ire )hief PRESCOTT FIRE DEPARTMENT -4,, 5ron S%rin6s Road Prescott, Arizona ./0,7 Scott *(nt, Arizona State 8orester ARI ONA STATE FORESTRY DI!ISION ---, West Washin6ton Street, S(ite -,, Phoenix, Arizona .7,,4 Robert *allida!, 2irector ARI ONA DEPT# OF PU$"IC SAFETY +-,+ West Encanto Bo(le3ard Phoenix, Arizona .7,,=$+.>4 Wend! S#ith$Ree3e, 2irector ARI ONA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 7/0/ East 'c2o<ell Road Phoenix, Arizona .7,,.$0>=7 Scott 'ascher, ?a3a%ai )o(nt! Sheriff YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE +77 East :(rle! Street Prescott, Arizona ./0,-

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e + of -/

Re%

A#R#S# & 12'(21#01)A* No+,-e o. C/0,m1Y0r2e// H,// F,re Na#e of 2ecedent: 2ate of 2eath: )lai#ant: :rant C(inn 'cKee ;(ne 0,, +,-0 'arcia 'cKee @'other of 2ecedentA I2+ro34-+,o2

2ear P(blic Entities: We re%resent )lai#ant 'arcia 'cKee, the #other of :rant C(inn 'cKee" Beca(se of the ne6li6ence of the State of Arizona, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the )it! of PrescottDand beca(se of the ne6li6ence of their rele3ant a6encies, de%art#ents, officials, e#%lo!ees, and a6entsD:rant 'cKee died on ;(ne 0,, +,-0, d(rin6 the ?arnell *ill 8ire" With the exercise of reasonable care, :rantEs death <as %re3entable" 5n fact, <ith the exercise of reasonable care, no #e#ber of the :ranite 'o(ntain 5ntera6enc! *otshot )re< <o(ld ha3e died on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" :rant 'cKee, and -. of his fello< cre<#e#bers, died beca(se the )it! of Prescott, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the State of Arizona @the Fliable %(blic entitiesGA 3iolated all -, of the nationall! reco6nized Standard Firefighting Orders" 8or ease of reference b! firefi6hters <ho battle <ildfires and forest fires across the nation, the Standard Firefighting Orders a%%ear in #an! so(rces, incl(din6 on the final %a6e of the Red Book, <hich has the f(ll title of H"S" 8orest Ser3ice, Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, N8ES +4+> @;an" +,-0A" The -, Standard Firefighting Orders are #andator! %rinci%les 6(idin6 all co#%etent, res%onsible firefi6htin6 #ana6ers and %ersonnel assi6ned to co#bat fires li e the ?arnell *ill 8ire" On its <ebsite, the National 5ntera6enc! 8ire )enter ex%lains that the -, Standard 8irefi6htin6 Orders <ere Fde3elo%ed in -=74 b! a tas force st(d!in6 <a!s to %re3ent firefi6hter in9(ries and fatalities"G The -, Standard Firefighting Orders are Ffir#"G That is, accordin6 to the National 5ntera6enc! 8ire )enter: FWe donEt brea the#I <e donEt bend the#" All firefi6hters ha3e the ri6ht to a safe assi6n#ent"G The ten Standard Firefighting Orders, and a brief s(##ar! of their 3iolations in this case, are as follo<s: Keep infor ed on fire weather conditions and forecasts!

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e 0 of -/

The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! (sed %oor and (nti#el! infor#ation abo(t the rele3ant fire <eather conditions and forecasts" Know what yo"r fire is doing at all ti es! The liable %(blic entities lost trac of <hat the fire <as doin6 <ell before :rant 'cKee and his cre< beca#e en6(lfed in s#o e and fla#es" Base all actions on c"rrent and e#pected $ehavior of the fire! The liable %(blic entities did not base their firefi6htin6 actions on the fireEs c(rrent and ex%ected beha3ior" Identify escape ro"tes and safety %ones and ake the known! The liable %(blic entities failed to identif! a3ailable esca%e ro(tes and safet! zones, and th(s failed to #a e esca%e ro(tes and safet! zones no<n to :rant 'cKee and his cre<" Post looko"ts when there is possi$le danger! 2es%ite the %ossible dan6er of deadl!, ra%id, and erratic fire #o3e#ent, the liable %(blic entities failed to %ost and #aintain loo o(ts at strate6ic locations" Be alert! Keep cal ! &hink clearly! Act decisively! 5nstead of bein6 alert, ee%in6 cal#, thin in6 clearl!, and actin6 decisi3el!, the liable %(blic entities <ere (na<are of the <eather and fire chan6es and of the location of :rant 'cKee and his cre<, <ere not %rofessionall! cal# in #ana6in6 the firefi6hters, <ere not thin in6 clearl! abo(t <hat needed to be done to %rotect the firefi6hters, and acted indecisi3el!"

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e > of -/

'aintain pro pt co ad)oining forces!

"nications with yo"r forces( yo"r s"pervisor and

The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to #aintain %ro#%t and acc(rate co##(nications <ith the firefi6htin6 forces, failed to #aintain contact <ith all rele3ant s(%er3isors and reso(rces, and failed to #aintain co##(nications a#on6 and bet<een ad9oinin6 forces" *ive clear instr"ctions and ins"re they are "nderstood! The liable %(blic entities failed to 6i3e clear instr(ctions to :rant 'cKeeEs cre< and to s(%%ort %ersonnel and failed to ins(re that instr(ctions <ere (nderstood" 'aintain control of yo"r forces at all ti es! The liable %(blic entities had scant control o3er the firefi6htin6 forces, es%eciall! as the sit(ation confrontin6 :rant 'cKee and his cre< deteriorated" Fight fire aggressively( having provided for safety first! The liable %(blic entities failed to %ro3ide for safet! first as the! <ere cond(ctin6 the fi6ht a6ainst the fire" The liable %(blic entities faced #an! hazardo(s conditions that the H"S" 8orest Ser3iceEs Red Book <arns are FWatch o(t Sit(ations"G The Red Book lists -. FWatch o(t Sit(ations"G Once a6ain, beca(se of the i#%ortance of ha3in6 a list of those FWatch o(t Sit(ationsG a3ailable for eas! reference, the! a%%ear on the last %a6e of the Red Book" The liable %(blic entities facedDand ne6li6entl! failed to safe6(ard a6ainstDal#ost all of the FWatch o(t Sit(ations"G These are the FWatch o(t Sit(ationsG that the liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to safe6(ard a6ainst:

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e 7 of -/

8ire not sco(ted and sized (%" Safet! zones and esca%e ro(tes not identified" Hnfa#iliar <ith <eather and local factors infl(encin6 fire beha3ior" Hninfor#ed on strate6!, tactics, and hazards" 5nstr(ctions and assi6n#ents not clear" No co##(nication lin <ith cre< #e#bersJs(%er3isor" Hnb(rned f(el bet<een !o( and fire" )annot see #ain fire, not in contact <ith an!one <ho can" On a hillside <here rollin6 #aterial can i6nite f(el belo<" Weather is 6ettin6 hotter and drier" Wind increases andJor chan6es direction" :ettin6 freK(ent s%ot fires across line" Terrain and f(els #a e esca%e to safet! zones diffic(lt"

5n s(##ar!, the liable %(blic entities carelessl! and ne6li6entl! failed to ta e %rotecti3e #eas(res a6ainst at least -0 of the FWatch o(t Sit(ationsG that confronted :rant 'cKee and his cre< and ne6li6entl! 3iolated all ten of the Standard Firefighting Orders" That ne6li6ence illed :rant 'cKee and the -. other #e#bers of the :ranite 'o(ntain 5ntera6enc! *otshot )re<" 1# T5e S4m'Cer+0,2 Dem0236 023 +5e No+,-e o. C/0,m Pro-e66#

)lai#ant is #a in6 s(#$certain de#ands" 8irst, she is de#andin6 L-+ #illion fro# the State of Arizona" Second, she is de#andin6 L-+ #illion fro# the )it! of Prescott" Third, she is de#andin6 L-+ #illion fro# ?a3a%ai )o(nt!" 8or each other %(blic entit! that is s(b9ect to this notice of clai# as a 9(ral entit!, )lai#ant is de#andin6 the se%arate s(# of L-+ #illion" )lai#ant

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e / of -/

intends to #a e, and has #ade, a s(#$certain de#and a6ainst each liable %(blic entit! in the a#o(nt of L-+ #illion" 5n the alternati3e, if the %(blic entities <ant to %ool their reso(rces, and #a e one a66re6ate settle#ent offer of L-+ #illion, the )lai#ant is <illin6 to acce%t the s(# of L-+ #illion as settle#ent in f(ll" This <illin6ness to ne6otiate and acce%t an a66re6ate settle#ent is not #eant to, and does not, detract fro# the s(#$certain de#ands, <hich are #ade to co#%l! <ith the reK(ire#ents of the notice$ of$clai# stat(tes" This notice of clai# #a es clear s(#$certain de#ands" 5f the de#anded a#o(nts are %aid <ithin /, da!s of the date of ser3ice of this notice of clai#, this #atter <ill be at an end" 5f the )it! of Prescott, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the State of Arizona re9ect the notice of clai#, or fail to acce%t the settle#ent offers contained in this notice of clai# <ithin /, da!s of the date of its ser3ice, )lai#ant reser3es the ri6ht to instit(te le6al action a6ainst the )it! of Prescott, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the State of Arizona at her sole discretion" This notice of clai# is a 6ood$faith effort to ne6otiate a fair settle#ent" )lai#ant tr(sts and ex%ects that the State of Arizona, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the )it! of Prescott <ill ta e this o%%ort(nit! to ne6otiate a fair settle#ent" 'arcia 'cKee reasonabl! belie3es that this notice of clai# satisfies all le6al and %roced(ral reK(ire#ents" As a #atter of 6o3ern#ent fairness to its citizens, )lai#ant ex%ects that the State of Arizona, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the )it! of Phoenix <ill i##ediatel! infor# )lai#ant abo(t an! %ercei3ed shortco#in6s in this notice of clai#" )lai#ant can then ti#el! correct the#" Other<ise )lai#ant <ill reasonabl! concl(de that the notice of clai# is %ro%er" )lai#ant <ill rel! on silence on the %art of the State of Arizona, ?a3a%ai )o(nt!, and the )it! of Prescott as f(ll a6ree#ent <ith )lai#antEs reasonable belief that the notice of clai# is %ro%er and s(fficient" )lai#ant (nderstands that so#e le6al a(thorities re6ard a notice of clai# as so#ethin6 other than a settle#ent offer" This notice of clai# is a settle#ent offer" )lai#ant re#inds the %(blic entities that nothin6 in this notice of clai# can be (sed as e3idence in an! 9(dicial or ad#inistrati3e %roceedin6, since this is a settle#ent offer" See Arizona R(le of E3idence >,.@aA" 2# T5e Ev06,ve, I2-om7/e+e Yarnell Hill Fire Report Com7o4236 +5e Prob/em o. ",m,+e3 I2.orm0+,o2 W5e2 0 C/0,m02+ ,6 Pre6e2+,28 0 No+,-e o. C/0,m W,+5o4+ +5e $e2e.,+ o. F4// D,6-over9 023 F4// I2ve6+,80+,o2#

Beca(se of the -.,$da! stat(te of li#itations for filin6 this notice of clai#, )lai#ant has not had a f(ll and fair o%%ort(nit! to cond(ct for#al disco3er! and to

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e 4 of -/

obtain re%orts, doc(#ents, and infor#ation fro# the %(blic a6encies and %(blic e#%lo!ees in3ol3ed in the ?arnell *ill 8ire and in its in3esti6ation" Still, this notice of clai# is as acc(rate as the li#ited infor#ation allo<s" )lai#ant and her le6al co(nsel caref(ll! re3ie<ed the +arnell ,ill Fire Serio"s Accident Investigation Report @F+arnell ,ill Fire ReportGA that <as released to the %(blic on Se%te#ber +0, +,-0" The +arnell ,ill Fire Report is a <hite<ash" 5ts %ri#ar! 6oal is to a3oid bla#in6 an!one" As a res(lt, an tr(stin6, (ninfor#ed %erson readin6 the +arnell ,ill Fire Report (ncriticall! <o(ld thin that the death of -= #en <as 9(st bad l(c and no oneEs fa(ltD <hich is false" 5n addition, the +arnell ,ill Fire Report failed to follo< the clear for#at and 6(idelines set o(t in the National 5ntera6enc! 8ire )enterEs Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide @A(6" +,-0A" A#on6 other thin6s, the %(blicl! released +arnell ,ill Fire Report is s(%%osed to be an excl(si3el! Fact"al Report <ith no inferences, concl(sions, or reco##endations"- 5nstead, the +arnell ,ill Fire Report is b(ilt on s(%%ositions and inferences, s%ends t<o %a6es on concl(sions, + and de3otes another %a6e to reco##endations"0 There is s(%%osed to be a 'anage ent -val"ation Report, <hich is #eant to be the second %art of the Final Report"> The %(r%ose of the 'anage ent -val"ation Report, <hich is intended for internal a6enc! (se onl!, is to re3ie<: @-A #ana6e#ent %olicies, @+A %ractices, @0A %roced(res, and @>A h(#an and or6anizational factors related to the accident"7 The 'anage ent -val"ation Report ta es findin6s that the Fact"al Report identifies and then identifies the ca(se of ca(ses of the accident" / 5n addition to infor#ation (sed fro# the Fact"al Report, the 'anage ent -val"ation Report contains: @-A findin6s identified in the Fact"al Report, @+A the ca(se or ca(ses of the accident, @0A concl(sions and obser3ations" @>A confidential infor#ation, and @7A reco##endations for correcti3e #eas(res"4

Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide at .-, B 4"4 @A(6" +,-0A" +arnell ,ill Fire Report at >+$>0 @Se%t" +0, +,-0A" 0 +arnell ,ill Fire Report at >> @Se%t" +0, +,-0A" > Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide at .-, B 4". @A(6" +,-0A" 7 Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide at .-, B 4". @A(6" +,-0A" / Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide at .-, B 4". @A(6" +,-0A" 4 Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide at .+, B 4". @A(6" +,-0A"
+

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e . of -/

E3en before the +arnell ,ill Fire Report a%%eared, there <ere concerns that the re%ort <o(ld fail to follo< the 6(idelines of the National 5ntera6enc! 8ire )enterEs Interagency Serio"s Accident Investigation *"ide" Those concerns <ere %ro%hetic". As a res(lt of failin6 to follo< the #andator! re%ort 6(idelines, the +arnell ,ill Fire ReportEs a(thors %rod(ced a bla#e$a3oidin6, #(ddled, and (ntr(st<orth! co3er$(%" )lai#ant antici%ates that #ore co#%lete and #ore ob9ecti3e infor#ation <ill be forthco#in6 <hen the Arizona 2i3ision of Occ(%ational Safet! and *ealth releases its re%ort so#e<here near the end of +,-0" = Other ob9ecti3e re%orts #a! also be #ade and beco#e a3ailable" B(t at this %oint, )lai#ant can onl! #a e this notice of clai# based on the a3ailable infor#ation, incl(din6 based on the deficient +arnell ,ill Fire Report" 5n short, <hile this notice of clai# is as fact(all! acc(rate and is as co#%lete as the )lai#ant can #a e it in the li#ited ti#e a3ailable (nder the -.,$da! stat(te of li#itations, the notice of clai# is inherentl! not as co#%lete as it <o(ld be <ith f(ll and fair disco3er!, disclos(re, and %(blic trans%arenc!" )lai#ant therefore reser3es the ri6ht to s(%%le#ent and a#end this notice of clai# as needed" 8inall!, co##on sense and f(nda#ental fairness reK(ire that, if an effort is #ade to introd(ce an! %art of this notice of clai# in ar6(#ent or e3idence, )lai#ant has the ri6ht to ex%lain that the notice of clai# <as a settle#ent offer %resented (nder an extre#el! short deadline and <itho(t the o%%ort(nit! to cond(ct a %ro%er, thoro(6h in3esti6ation or to obtain state#ents, doc(#ents, and other e3idence directl! fro# the )it! of Prescott and the State of Arizona" )lai#ant therefore reser3es the ri6ht to read this state#ent to the trier of fact, and to (se other doc(#ents or testi#on!, as needed, to %lace this notice of clai# in its %ro%er context as an initial settle#ent offer" 3# T5e Pre6e2+/9':2o;2 Ne8/,8e2+ A-+6 023 Om,66,o26 T50+ C046e3 or Co2+r,b4+e3 +o +5e De0+5 o. Gr02+ M-:ee 023 +5e 1( O+5er Member6 o. Gr02,+e Mo42+0,2 I2+er08e2-9 Ho+65o+ Cre;#

On ;(ne +., +,-0, the Arizona State 8orestr! 2i3ision, in con9(nction <ith the other liable %(blic entities, too char6e of the effort to fi6ht, channel, and contain the ?arnell *ill 8ire firefi6htin6 effort, and a%%ears to ha3e retained %ri#ar! control d(rin6 the e3ents leadin6 (% to the death of :rant 'cKee and the other :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots in the afternoon of ;(ne 0,, +,-0" As far as constr(ctin6 a lo6ical, acc(rate seK(ence of e3ents, the +arnell ,ill Fire Report is al#ost (seless" )lai#ant ho%es that
. =

+arnell Report R"les ."estioned, Arizona Re%(blic A$- @Se%t" +,, +,-0A" Another Report /"e $y +ear0-nd, Arizona Re%(blic A$- @Se%t" 0,, +,-0A"

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e = of -/

the (%co#in6 re%ort b! the Arizona 2e%art#ent of Occ(%ational Safet! and *ealth <ill be #ore acc(rate and forthco#in6 and that, as %(blic records and other infor#ation beco#e a3ailable, the f(ll tr(th abo(t <hat ha%%ened <ill e#er6e" At this %oint, it is a%%arent that the liable %(blic entities carelessl! let the :ranite 'o(ntain *ot Shots #o3e into a r(66ed, br(sh$filled area <here esca%e fro# the onco#in6 fire <as i#%ossible" The liable %(blic entities had lost trac of the location and direction of #o3e#ent of the :ranite 'o(ntain *ot Shots, had de%lo!ed the# carelessl!, had ne6li6entl! failed to s(%%ort the# or to coordinate their #o3e#ents <ith other assets in the area, had failed to #aintain consistent, effecti3e co##(nication <ith the#, had rec lessl! failed to realize the extre#e %eril that confronted the#, had carelessl! failed to %ro3ide the# <ith one or #ore lo6ical and accessible esca%e ro(tes or areas of ref(6e, and had ne6li6entl! failed to de%lo! aerial assets to assess their %eril and dro% fire retardant che#icals to hel% %rotect the#" The liable %(blic entities carelessl! and ne6li6entl! let :rant 'cKee and his fello< cre<#e#bers die excr(ciatin6 deaths" With the (se of #odern technolo6! and the a%%lication of old$fashioned co##on sense, the death of these fine #en <as entirel! %re3entable" 5n short, the ne6li6ence of the liable %(blic entities ca(sed or contrib(ted to ca(sin6 the death of :rant 'cKee and his fello< cre<#e#bers" A#on6 other thin6s, the follo<in6 instances of ne6li6ence are alread! a%%arent: Ne8/,8e2+ O7er0+,o26 -" As described abo3e, the liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! 3iolated all -, of

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -, of -/

Standard Firefighting Orders set o(t in the H"S" 8orest Ser3ice, Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, N8ES +4+> @;an" +,-0A b!: 8ailin6 to ee% infor#ed on fire <eather conditions and forecasts" 8ailin6 to no< <hat the fire <as doin6 at all ti#es" 8ailin6 to base all actions on c(rrent and ex%ected beha3ior of the fire" 8ailin6 to identif! and re%ort on esca%e ro(tes and safet! zones" 8ailin6 to %ost loo o(ts <hen there is %ossible dan6er" 8ailin6 to be alert, ee% cal#, thin clearl!, and act decisi3el!" 8ailin6 to #aintain %ro#%t co##(nications <ith the firefi6htin6 forces, the s(%er3isors, and ad9oinin6 forces" 8ailin6 to 6i3e clear instr(ctions and ins(re the! are (nderstood" 8ailin6 to #aintain control of the firefi6htin6 forces at all ti#es" 8ailin6 to fi6ht the fire a66ressi3el!, ha3in6 %ro3ided for safet! first"

+"

As described abo3e, the liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to %ro3ide %ro%er, co#%etent, and safe res%onses to the follo<in6 FWatch o(t Sit(ationsG described in the H"S" 8orest Ser3ice, Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, N8ES +4+> @;an" +,-0A: 8ire not sco(ted and sized (%" Safet! zones and esca%e ro(tes not identified" Hnfa#iliar <ith <eather and local factors infl(encin6 fire beha3ior" Hninfor#ed on strate6!, tactics, and hazards"

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -- of -/

0"

5nstr(ctions and assi6n#ents not clear" No co##(nication lin <ith cre< #e#bersJs(%er3isor" Hnb(rned f(el bet<een !o( and fire" )annot see #ain fire, not in contact <ith an!one <ho can" On a hillside <here rollin6 #aterial can i6nite f(el belo<" Weather is 6ettin6 hotter and drier" Wind increases andJor chan6es direction" :ettin6 freK(ent s%ot fires across line" Terrain and f(els #a e esca%e to safet! zones diffic(lt"

The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to assi6n an inde%endent di3ision s(%er3isor to directl! and 3i6oro(sl! o3ersee the acti3ities of the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to coordinate the o%erations of the 6ro(nd$firefi6htin6 and air$firefi6htin6 assets to ens(re #(t(al %rotection and s(%%ort that <o(ld ha3e safe6(arded the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to #aintain consistent, reliable, #eanin6f(l co##(nications <ith the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to obtain and disse#inate acc(rate, reliable, and ti#el! infor#ation on the location, intensit!, and #o3e#ent of the fire on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to obtain and disse#inate adeK(ate, reliable, and ti#el! th(nderstor#, <ind, and other <eather infor#ation to the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots and to others on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to order or direct the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots to #o3e to a %osition of safet! <hen the <ildfire shifted to a %osition that co(ld threaten their safet! on ;(ne 0,, +,-0 The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to e3ac(ate the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots <hen conditions beca#e so co#%lex and deadl! that e3ac(ation <as a %ro%er co(rse of action on ;(ne 0,, +,-0

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A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -+ of -/

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The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to infor# the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots of a3ailable locations <here the! <o(ld be safe fro# bein6 en6(lfed b! the fire on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to (se air assets to dro% fire retardant on and in the %ath of the fire that <as threatenin6 to en6(lf the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots on ;(ne 0,, +,-0, Ne8/,8e2+ Prov,6,o2 o. E<4,7me2+

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The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to %ro3ide adeK(ate, reliable co##(nications 6ear to the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots that the! co(ld ha3e (sed to #aintain reliable co##(nications on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to %ro3ide :PS trac in6 eK(i%#ent to the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots that <o(ld ha3e re%orted their exact %osition at all ti#es to the %ersonnel #ana6in6 the ;(ne 0,, +,-0 firefi6htin6 effort" The )it! of Prescott ne6li6entl! %ro3ided the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots <ith fire shelters that <ere inca%able of <ithstandin6 the fire conditions the! <o(ld be facin6 in their 6eneral o%erations in Arizona and, in %artic(lar, in the br(sh$filled r(66ed areas the! <o(ld be o%eratin6 in d(rin6 the ?arnell *ill 8ire on ;(ne 0,, +,-0" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to <arn and instr(ct the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots that de%lo!in6 fire shelters (nder the conditions the! <o(ld confront in fi6htin6 the ?arnell *ill 8ire on ;(ne 0,, +,-0 <o(ld lead to death

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A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -0 of -/

beca(se the fire shelters <ere inadeK(ate to %rotect the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots (nder an! b(t the #ildest of conditions" Ne8/,8e2+ Per6o22e/ 023 Tr0,2,28 Pr0-+,-e6 -/" The Arizona State 8orestr! 2i3ision and other liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! reK(ested the federal So(th<est )oordinatin6 )o##ittee in Alb(K(erK(e to dis%atch the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots to co#bat the ?arnell *ill 8ire <hen the Arizona State 8orestr! 2i3ision and the other liable %(blic entities ne<, or sho(ld ha3e no<n, that the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots had 9(st co#%leted exha(stin6 <or on other fires and had reached their #axi#(# consec(ti3e <or da!s" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to ens(re that the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots had an adeK(ate n(#ber of cre<#e#bers that <ere f(ll! K(alified to fill %er#anentJcareer %ositions" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to ens(re that all of the #e#bers of the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots had adeK(ate trainin6 and certification" The liable %(blic entities ne6li6entl! failed to reK(ire co#%letion of the #andator! ann(al %re%aredness re3ie<s for the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots" T5e C,+9 o. Pre6-o++ ,6 No+ E2+,+/e3 +o +5e T97,-0/ Em7/o9er Imm42,+9 Prov,3e3 ,2 A#R#S# & 23'1022)A*#

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5n rele3ant %art, A"R"S" B +0$-,++@AA %ro3ides that the stat(tor! ri6ht to reco3er <or ersE co#%ensation benefits for an e#%lo!eeEs death Fis the excl(si3e re#ed! a6ainst the e#%lo!er or an! co$e#%lo!ee actin6 in the sco%e of his e#%lo!#ent"G That i##(nit! is (na3ailable to the )it! of Prescott since 'arcia 'cKee did not #a e a clai# for or recei3e <or ersE co#%ensation benefits for :lenn 'cKeeEs death and beca(se, e3en if she had, the )it! of Prescott failed to %ro%erl! %ost the <or ersE co#%ensation election$of$benefits r(le in the <or s%ace of the :ranite 'o(ntain *otshots" See A"R"S" BB +0$=,/ and +0$-,++@AA" =# T5e De0+5 o. Gr02+ M-:ee H06 C046e3 Treme23o46 S4..er,28 +o M0r-,0 M-:ee#

'arcia 'cKee al<a!s had a close and lo3in6 relationshi% <ith her son, b(t that bond <as 6ro<in6 e3en stron6er in the !ears before his death" ;(st after he had finished

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -> of -/

his basic trainin6 to beco#e a :ranite 'o(ntain *otshot, :rant 'cKee had sent his #other a note ex%lainin6 ho< #(ch she #eant to hi#" *e (sed the <ord F'arciaG to start the note beca(se, as he later ex%lained to her, the! <ere both ad(lts, and co(ld no< a%%reciate each other both as #other and son, and as ad(lts: 'arcia, 5 donEt belie3e 5 <o(ld be <here 5 a# toda! if it <as not for !o(" ?o( 6a3e #e all !o( co(ld and <o(ld %(t !o(r life on the line for #e" No< as an ad(lt 5 see the str(66les !o( <ent thro(6h to #a e #! life the best is co(ld be, !o( <ere able to #a e the best of e3er! sit(ation and 5 co##end !o( for it" We are best friends and that <ill ne3er chan6e" ?o( are first #! #other and second #! friend for life" ?o(Ere an a#azin6 %erson and donEt let an!one tell !o( different" 1o3e, !o(r 6rad(ate, :rant C(inn 'cKee 'arcia treas(res that note, beca(se it ca#e fro# :rantEs heart and so(l, and sho<ed 9(st ho< #(ch he cared for her as a %erson, as a friend, and as a #other" After :rant died, 'arcia <rote her o<n note to :rant, tr!in6 to ex%ress in her o<n <ords <hat he had #eant to her, and ho< #(ch she #issed hi#: To '! Son :rant 'cKee +,-0 5 not onl! lost a son b(t 5 also lost #! 3er! best friend and 5 no< 5 #ade a %ro#ise that if an!thin6 sho(ld e3er ha%%en to !o( 5 <o(ld be ri6ht behind !o(" 2onEt thin for a #in(te that 5 donEt al<a!s thin abo(t #e sa!in6 that to !o( beca(se 5 al<a!s do" :rant, !o( <ere #! life and ho< can one belie3e in :od <hen he too a<a! the onl! thin6 that #atters to #e" 5 <ill ne3er be the sa#e %erson that 5 once <as and no< <ith a bro en heart 5 feel so e#%t! inside" *o< <ill 5 6o on li3in6 #! life :rant 'cKee is #! son" ?o( are #! one and onl! hero" 5 #iss !o( and lo3e !o( so 3er! #(ch" ?o(Ell be #issed dearl! :rant" 5 lo3e !o(" 'o# xo When as ed to %ro3ide so#e co##ents on the loss of her son for this notice of clai#, 'arcia too a considerable a#o(nt of ti#e, and, fro# her heart, <rote:

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -7 of -/

8ro# the ti#e 5 o%en #! e!es in the #ornin6 (ntil the ti#e 5 close the# at ni6ht, no<in6 the ca(se of #! sonEs death, the %ain and s(fferin6 for his last 6as% of air that #! bab! had to 6o thro(6h and the terror he #(st ha3e felt, is a6on! on #! heart e3er! sin6le da!" 1osin6 #! son, #! best friend, and #! onl! child, at the a6e of onl! +-, itEs not s(%%osed to be li e this" 5E3e had to co#e to the realization that i <ill ne3er hear F'o#G s%o en a6ain fro# #! son" No #ore 'otherEs 2a! cards or %hone calls" Nor <ill 5 e3er 6et to see hi# <al do<n the aisle or be called 6rand#a" '! life <as also ta en that da! beca(se he <as #! life" So no< <hat do 5 ha3e to loo for<ard toM :rant <as #! <orld" No< i ha3e an e#%t! <orld <ith a bro en heart" *o< does one 6o on li3in6M There is no c(re for 6rief" 5t <ill al<a!s be <ith #e" 5 <ill ne3er be that sa#e %erson 5 once <as" 5 #iss hi# so #(ch" O(r last %hone con3ersation <as #e tellin6 hi# to be caref(l and his res%onse <as FWhat are the odds of #e d!in6 in a fireM Thin abo(t it 'o#"G 5 told hi# 5 lo3ed hi# and still be caref(l" *e said to #e F5 lo3e !o( too 'o#"G That <as the last ti#e 5Ell e3er hear #! bab! call #e 'o#" Perha%s nothin6 co(ld better ex%lain ho< :rantEs death has left his #other so de3astated" All da!, e3er! da!, that loss is <ith her" *er best and finest ho%es, drea#s, and %lans for the f(t(re centered on :rant and on his increasin6l! bri6ht and %ro#isin6 %ros%ects as a son, f(t(re father, #an, and friend that his #other had co#e to res%ect as #(ch as lo3e" 8or as lon6 as she li3es, 'arcia <ill #iss :rant" The loss of his co#%anionshi%, affection, and lo3e f(ll! s(%%ort the da#a6es that she has reK(ested in this notice of clai#"

A"R"S" B -+$.+-",-@AA Notice of )lai#, ?arnell *ill 8ire 2ecedent: :rant C(inn 'c:ee No3e#ber ->, +,-0 Pa6e -/ of -/

Co2-/46,o2 The liable %(blic entities sho(ld a%%reciate their liabilit! and the tre#endo(s loss that the death of :rant 'cKee has ca(sed for his #other" We antici%ate that the liable %(blic entities <ill fairl! and %ro#%tl! e3al(ate this notice of clai# and a6ree that a %ro#%t, fair settle#ent is the best co(rse for all concerned" This notice of clai#Dand the facts, <itnesses, re%orts, and far #ore co#%lete records that the liable %(blic entities, and others, ha3e in their %ossessionD<ill %ro3ide the liable %(blic entities <ith the infor#ation reasonabl! needed to cond(ct a 6ood$faith e3al(ation of the notice of clai#" 5f the liable %(blic entities that recei3e ser3ice of this notice of clai# reasonabl! belie3e that the! need #ore infor#ation to e3al(ate the notice of clai#, the! #(st let o(r office no< at once" We can then %ro#%tl! and efficientl! <or to6ether <ith the# to disco3er fro# their considerable fact(al and doc(#entar! reso(rces an! additional infor#ation reasonabl! necessar! to hel% e3al(ate and settle this clai#" 2ATE2 this ->th da! of No3e#ber, +,-0" :NAPP > RO$ERTS, P#C#

????????????????????????? )rai6 A" Kna%% Attorne! for )lai#ants