It’s an interesting question.
We live in a HOA with private roads, and when we had a fire pictures appeared on the TV news and in the newspaper. We have asked the TV news crews not to report in our neighborhood and they respect that. The pictures came straight from the Fire Department within hours of being taken.
The Fire Chief said that photos they take are in effect “public property” and he has to release them if asked - even if we did not give him permission to take the pictures.
It may be the same here if our Fire Chief (also in AZ) is accurate - pictures taken while on duty are “public property”. After all they closed that area to the public and they were on duty at the time.
If it ends up that these Yarnell pictures could have been withheld I’m going to have another chat with our Fire Chief about photography and release of pictures to the press/TV...:^)
Interesting. It is a serious problem controlling the use of cell phones on fire scenes. Anybody caught disseminating photos that have identifying information has a short career ahead of him or her.
I think it’s a stark and striking reminder of the sacrifices made by our first responders. It also shows that we honor them.
I don’t know why anyone is upset, except that it’s tragic and terrible that they should have died this way. But the photo honors them, IMHO.
Do you know if there is an address where my husband and I could send a donation to the families. Mr. RR is a former Hot Shot crew director (USDA Forest Service, Region 2, back in the ‘70’s.) We would love to help.
Thanks.