Arizona Fire and Medical Authority
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (October 2021) |
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Cities | Sun City West, Buckeye, Tonopah, Sun Lakes, Wittmann |
| Agency overview[1][2] | |
| Established | 2017 |
| Annual calls | 18,270 (FY 21–22) |
| Employees | 122 Firefighters, 34 EMS personnel, 29 Administrative personnel, 50 Fire Corp volunteers (FY 21–22) |
| Annual budget | $56,291,209 (FY 23–24) |
| Staffing | Career |
| Fire chief | Mark Burdick |
| EMS level | ALS |
| IAFF | 3573 |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Battalions | 3 |
| Stations | 12 |
| Engines | 10 |
| Trucks | 1 |
| Ambulances | 16 |
| Website | |
| www | |
| IAFF website | |
Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, often referred to as AFMA, is a fire authority in Maricopa County, Arizona. Comprising three fire districts that came together to form a Fire and Medical Authority, AFMA provides fire protection and emergency medical services to approximately 75,000 people in the communities of Sun City West, Buckeye, Tonopah, Sun Lakes, and Wittmann.
Overview[edit]
In 2017, the North County and South County Fire & Medical Districts merged to form the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. This type of merger is known as a Joint Power Authority (JPA) in Arizona, which allows two or more public authorities to come together and share resources while maintaining control of their budgets and tax rates.[3] In 2022, it was announced that the Buckeye Valley Fire District would become the third fire district to join AFMA. The merger became official in 2023. The authority is run by the Authority Governing Board, with seven members. Two members from each district are appointed to the Board, with the last member being chosen by the Board.[citation needed]
The agency has gone through numerous mergers since its inception, and although Arizona Fire and Medical Authority remains the agency name, battalions are still commonly referred to by their previous district names (North County, South County, Buckeye Valley, etc.).
Approximately 80% of Authority calls are medical. AFMA employs civilian EMTs and paramedics to staff their ambulances.
In 2014, North County became the first fire department in Arizona to receive an ISO Class 1 rating. South County followed suit with their own Class 1 rating in 2019.
The Authority is accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)[4]
Stations and Apparatus[edit]
AFMA has 12 stations and 3 administration buildings divided among 3 battalions. The main administration building is located in Sun City West.
Battalion 10 (Sun City West)[edit]
| Fire Station Number | Address | Engine Company | Ladder Company | EMS Medic Transport unit | Command Unit | Specialized Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | 18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive | |||||
| 101 | 19001 N. Camino Del Sol | |||||
| 102 | 20622 N. Stardust Blvd | |||||
| 103 | 13431 W. Deer Valley Dr | |||||
| 104 | 24930 N. 119th Avenue | |||||
| 106 | 20303 W. Patton Road |
Battalion 23 (Sun Lakes)[edit]
| Fire Station Number | Address | Engine Company | Ladder Company | EMS Medic Transport unit | Command Unit | Specialized Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | 25020 S. Alma School Road | |||||
| 231 | 25455 S. Sun Lakes Blvd | |||||
| 232 | 25020 S. Alma School Rd |
Battalion 32 (Buckeye Valley)[edit]
| Fire Station Number | Address | Engine Company | Ladder Company | EMS Medic Transport unit | Command Unit | Specialized Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | 18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive | |||||
| 321 | 4715 N. 189th Ave | |||||
| 324 | 25206 W. MC85 | |||||
| 326 | 19937 W. Arlington Rd | |||||
| 328 | 29938 W. Taylor St | |||||
| 341 | 36511 W. Salome Highway |
References[edit]
- ^ "Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Annual Report" (PDF). Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Fiscal Year 2023‐24 Budget Adoption" (PDF). Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Joint Powers Authority FAQ's" (PDF). Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Accredited Agencies". Center for Public Safety Excellence. Retrieved November 22, 2023.