 In 1937 , firefighters did not have portable radios for rapid on @-@ scene communication or helicopters to bring supplies and provide water drops . Firefighters had some access to gas @-@ powered portable water pumps ( two were set up on the Blackwater fire ) , but most used backpack pumps that were manually operated and held limited water . <unk> were dug by <unk> using shovels , axes and <unk> ( a tool that could be used as either an axe or a hoe ) . Most firefighters wore cotton and wool clothing , which provided poor protection from flames . Additionally , they did not have fire shelters , which first became available in the 1960s but were not mandatory until 1977 . Later researchers believe the use of shelters might have saved lives depending on where the firefighters were when the firestorm occurred . 
