Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

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Arizona Fire and Medical Authority
Arizona Fire and Medical Authority logo.png
Operational area
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
Cities Sun City West, Buckeye, Tonopah, Sun Lakes, Wittmann
Agency overview [1] [2]
Established2017
Annual calls18,270 (FY 21–22)
Employees122 Firefighters, 34 EMS personnel, 29 Administrative personnel, 50 Fire Corp volunteers (FY 21–22)
Annual budget$56,291,209 (FY 23–24)
StaffingCareer
Fire chief Mark Burdick
EMS level ALS
IAFF 3573
Facilities and equipment
Battalions3
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. [3] The department is one of 26 jurisdictions within the Phoenix area that is dispatched by the Phoenix Fire Department Regional Dispatch Center and participates in the Automatic Aid system.

Contents

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. [4] 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.

On August 28, 2025, the Town of Guadalupe Council voted to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement with AFMA to provide fire and emergency services to the town, thereby replacing the Guadalupe Fire Department and absorbing their firefighters. [5]

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 official name, battalions are still commonly referred to by their previous district names (North County, South County, Buckeye Valley, etc.). AFMA was in talks with the Sun City Fire District (SCFD) in regard to a potential merger, with SCFD awaiting a study to determine its feasibility. [6] Upon receiving the feasibility study, the Sun City Fire District board voted to opt out of any potential merger. [7]

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). [8]

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. In mid 2025, the department restructured their battalion numbers to better align with their overall mission. Battalion 10 became Battalion 33, Battalion 23 became Battalion 34, and Battalion 32 remained the same.

Battalion 32 (Buckeye Valley)

Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyLadder CompanyEMS Medic Transport unitCommand UnitSpecialized Unit
Administration18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive
3214715 N. 189th AveEngine 321Medic 321
32236511 W. Salome HighwayEngine 322Brush Truck 322, Water Tender 322
32425206 W. MC85Medic 324, Medic 325, Medic 327Battalion Chief 321
32619937 W. Arlington RdEngine 326Medic 326Brush 326, Water Tender 326
32829938 W. Taylor StEngine 328Medic 328Brush 328, Water Tender 328
32926127 W. Beardsley PkwyMedic 329

Battalion 33 (Sun City West)

Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyLadder CompanyEMS Medic Transport unitCommand UnitSpecialized Unit
Administration18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive
33119001 N. Camino Del SolEngine 331Medic 331Battalion Chief 331Rehab 331
33220622 N. Stardust BlvdLadder 332Medic 332
33313431 W. Deer Valley DrEngine 333Medic 333Brush Truck 333
33424930 N. 119th AvenueEngine 334Brush Truck 334, Water Tender 334
33520303 W. Patton RoadEngine 335Medic 335Brush Truck 335, Water Tender 335

Battalion 34 (Sun Lakes)

Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyLadder CompanyEMS Medic Transport unitCommand UnitSpecialized Unit
Administration25020 S. Alma School Road
34125455 S. Sun Lakes BlvdEngine 341Medic 341Battalion Chief 341
34225020 S. Alma School RdEngine 342Medic 342

References

  1. "Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Annual Report" (PDF). Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  2. "Fiscal Year 2023‐24 Budget Adoption" (PDF). Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  3. "Sun City Fire joint agreement study likely due in December". Daily Independent. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  4. "Joint Powers Authority FAQ's" (PDF). Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  5. "Legal Action Summary" (PDF). Town of Guadalupe. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  6. "Sun City Fire District updates chief job description". Daily Independent. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  7. "Sun City Fire District opts out of merger". Daily Independent. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  8. "Accredited Agencies". Center for Public Safety Excellence. Retrieved November 22, 2023.