The $1.4 billion Arizona State Credit Union has been reaching out to members affected by the Yarnell Hill wildfire that killed 19 firefighters Sunday, including two of the credit union's 128,000 members.

“So far we know that two of these brave souls were our members,” Paul Stull, senior vice president at the Phoenix-based credit union, said Monday.

“In addition, we have member households in the community of Yarnell. Half the homes in this community were destroyed overnight in this tragedy,” he said.

Stull and Arizona State CEO Dave Doss have been reaching out to the community Monday with emergency assistance.

“We have opened a matching gift fund for the firefighters' families and will match community contributions up to $20,000,” said Stull.

“In addition we are making very low interest emergency loans available, waiving early withdrawal penalties and allowing skip payments or rewrites on loans. It is too early to tell the full impact, but we are being proactive to reach out to our members,” Stull said.

The 19 men belonged to the 20-member Granite Mountain Hotshots from the small town of Prescott, Ariz., and their deaths were the largest loss of life in American wildfire fighting in 80 years. Their bodies were recovered Monday.

“We would welcome any support. Our intention is to benefit the 19 firefighters' families. Their efforts to save homes resulted in their loss of life. It's a great tragedy for the community,” Stull said.

Contributions can be sent to Dave Doss, CEO. Arizona State Credit Union, 2355 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix AZ 85027.

Instant Insights /

Arizona State CU Reaches Out After Two Members Killed Fighting Wildfire

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