File #: File ID 18404    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Addendum Status: Addendum Ready
File created: 2/13/2025 In control: Board of Supervisors
On agenda: 2/18/2025 Final action: 2/18/2025
Title: Fire District Funding Needs Discussion/Direction: While Tucson Fire Department serves the urban center of our county, numerous other fire districts provide critical services to rural, suburban and unincorporated areas. These districts face unique challenges, including limited budgets, aging equipment, and growing service demands. Ensuring they are adequately equipped and staffed is essential for the safety and well-being of all Pima County residents. Today we will hear from Chief Bradley of Northwest Fire District (FD), Chief Wunder of Santa Rita FD (formerly Green Valley FD), and Chief Delfs of Avra Valley FD, as well as from firefighter Ryan Ward, who serves on the Southern AZ Firefighters Association, regarding current service levels across fire districts of different sizes serving rural vs. urban vs. suburban areas, and what more is needed to achieve target service levels across all communities, regardless of property tax base. This discussion will build off the information we rec...
Attachments: 1. BOS_FireDistrictFundingNeeds_Dist2Submittal, 2. BOS_CAMemo_Fire&EmergencyMedicalServResponseTimesinPC, 3. BOS_ChiefBradleyNWFD_Slides, 4. BOS_FireDistrictFundingNeeds_CommLtr_2-18-25_Redacted, 5. BOS_ChiefBradleyNWFD_Slides_2-18-25

Title

Fire District Funding Needs

Discussion/Direction: While Tucson Fire Department serves the urban center of our county, numerous other fire districts provide critical services to rural, suburban and unincorporated areas. These districts face unique challenges, including limited budgets, aging equipment, and growing service demands. Ensuring they are adequately equipped and staffed is essential for the safety and well-being of all Pima County residents.

 

Today we will hear from Chief Bradley of Northwest Fire District (FD), Chief Wunder of Santa Rita FD (formerly Green Valley FD), and Chief Delfs of Avra Valley FD, as well as from firefighter Ryan Ward, who serves on the Southern AZ Firefighters Association, regarding current service levels across fire districts of different sizes serving rural vs. urban vs. suburban areas, and what more is needed to achieve target service levels across all communities, regardless of property tax base. This discussion will build off the information we received in the 12/16/24 memo from Administrator Lesher titled, “Fire and Emergency Medical Service Response Times in Pima County.” (District 2)