Fire District Board updated on new personnel and equipment

Maricopa’s Fire District Board met Thursday evening at the fire station to hear staff reports. They also approved new equipment and learned about both personnel and equipment testing results.

The purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was approved for the six new firefighters who were sworn in on July 26. Called “turn outs”, the cost of these outfits for the new department members will be $11,024.90. Chairman Don Pearce remarked, “This is equipment we need to have.”

Chief of Fire Safety Eddie Rodriguez reported that Carl’s Jr. and Native New Yorker have passed inspection and are open. The shops adjacent to Fry’s Marketplace have yet to pass final inspection. Southern Dunes added an additional hydrant and sprinkler system to meet fire safety requirements.

Maricopa Elementary School received roof damage to eight classrooms during Tuesday evening’s storm. Students were moved to the cafeteria and library while clean up and roofing repairs took place.

Rodriguez will be attending a State Fire Marshal’s fire prevention class in the near future.

Director of Human Resources Cindy Inskeep indicated that she had recently served on an interviewing board for a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant’s position in Florence. All six new Maricopa firefighters have received policy and procedures and completed their orientation to the department.

Banner Health will provide services for the department such as physicals and testing. The occupational health office is at Banner Desert, but firefighters will have four locations to choose from.

New modular office furniture has been received and installed. A classroom has been set up for firefighters. Various forms of media will now be available to make instruction easier and more efficient.

New classroom furniture has been added at the fire department.

Dan Ashton, Chief of Operations, reviewed equipment testing. Ladders, pumps and apparatus must be tested on an annual basis. Two ladders are out of service due to their age.

Wade Brannon is a new captain in the department. He placed first on the captain’s test followed by Jim Wise and Mark Boys, who will be named captains as the department adds personnel.

Casa Grande is working on a regional dispatch service. “The Chief and I are in complete support,” said Ashton. Until the city and the district form their own dispatch systems, this would be beneficial, according to Ashton. He indicated that using police dispatch is sometimes difficult due to the many calls they may receive during a fire situation.

Chief Ashton told the board that the new command vehicle had been delivered that day. “It’s first class.” Ashton helped design the vehicle, which will be used on fire sites as a mobile command post.

Chief of Operations Dan Ashton proudly displays his new command vehicle.

The vehicle features a radio panel and headphones to make dispatching and answering calls easier during the noise of a fire event. The rear shell features a slide out equipment storage and operations desk. Ashton will now be able to keep track of men, equipment and incident reports at the actual site of a fire.

The command vehicle’s roll-out desk will make site operations easier and more efficient.

“It is perfect,” explained Chief Bill Kelleher. “It’s all we need, not more than we need.”

The department was out in force during Maricopa’s first annual Night Out on Tuesday. When the storm came up, the ladder truck, which was extended 60 feet, was quickly taken down since it would act as a giant lightning rod.

The ladder truck with its 60 foot extension, flying the American flag.

No major accidents or fires occurred during Tuesday’s storm. According to Ashton, the department spent the night helping people with flooding problems and tree damage.

Chief Kelleher remarked, “This is a young fire department. We are very fortunate. It is a pleasure to work with them.” He indicated that the department’s new website is up, providing a history of the department, public information and an equipment section. “Folks that pay for what we do can learn about what they pay for.”

Board member Oliver Anderson extended his congratulations to the staff at the meeting’s conclusion, “As a novice in the firefighting industry, it is terribly educational and informative to see this department move this quickly. I’m proud to be part of it.”