Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

Operational area
Country	United States
State	Arizona
Cities	Sun City West, Buckeye, Tonopah, Sun Lakes, Wittmann
Agency overview
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.afma.az.gov
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

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. 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.

The agency has gone through numerous mergers since its inception, and although Arizona Fire and Medical Authority remains the official name, battalions are still commonly referred to by their previous district names (North County, South County, Buckeye Valley, etc.). AFMA has recently been in talks with the Sun City Fire District (SCFD) in regard to a potential merger, with SCFD awaiting a study to determine its feasibility.

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).

Stations and Apparatus

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)

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	Engine 101		Medic 101	Battalion Chief 101
102	20622 N. Stardust Blvd		Ladder 102	Medic 102
103	13431 W. Deer Valley Dr	Engine 103		Medic 103		Brush Truck 103
104	24930 N. 119th Avenue	Engine 104				Brush Truck 104, Water Tender 104
106	20303 W. Patton Road	Engine 106		Medic 106		Brush Truck 106, Water Tender 106

Battalion 23 (Sun Lakes)

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	Engine 231		Medic 231	Battalion Chief 231	Rehab 231
232	25020 S. Alma School Rd	Engine 232		Medic 232

Battalion 32 (Buckeye Valley)

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	Engine 321		Medic 321
324	25206 W. MC85			Medic 324, Medic 325, Medic 327	Battalion Chief 321
326	19937 W. Arlington Rd	Engine 326		Rescue 326		Brush 326, Water Tender 326
328	29938 W. Taylor St	Engine 328		Rescue 328		Brush 328, Water Tender 328
341	36511 W. Salome Highway	Engine 341				Brush Truck 341, Water Tender 341