Two men break into fire station in Laveen, shoot at firefighters

Officers are looking for two men who officials said shot at fire crews after breaking into their fire engine at a fire station in Laveen. It happened around 8:30 p.m. at Fire Station 58 on Dobbins Road at 47th Avenue on Thursday night. According to firefighters, they came back from a call and saw a man trying to steal items from a vehicle at a fire station in the fenced back parking lot. The firefighters tried to detain the man when a second man started shooting at them, police said. No one was hit or hurt. The pair then ran off, heading west on Dobbins, and into a neighborhood. Police said officers established a perimeter but they were not found. An investigation is underway.
KASW-CW6 & KTVK-3TV (azfamily.com)

City Of Tucson selects new fire chief

The City of Tucson announced the selection of Charles “Chuck” Ryan as the 28th Fire Chief of the Tucson Fire Department. He will begin his role Sept. 30. Ryan has worked in the fire service since 1994, and is joining TFD having most recently served as an assistant fire chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. In this role, Ryan led the department’s Business Services Bureau. Chief Ryan will be taking on the leadership and management of the 32nd busiest department in the country and the second largest department in the State of Arizona.
Inside Tucson Business

Phoenix investigators looking into apartment fire

A fire at a two-story apartment complex in west Phoenix forced several people out of their homes sometime early Thursday morning. The initial call reported an apartment filling with smoke and a family evacuating. When firefighters arrived at the complex near 51st Avenue and Thunderbird Road, however, flames had already burned through the roof. According to Capt. Kenny Overton of the Phoenix Fire Department, crews took hand lines to the second floor and immediately attacked the fire to keep it from spreading to neighboring apartments. Overton said firefighters quickly got control and no injuries were reported. He also said that “multiple residents will be displaced by this fire ….” The cause of the fire is under investigation.
KASW-CW6 & KTVK-3TV (azfamily.com)

Surprise firefighters union upset with loss of engine

On the same day the City of Surprise broke ground on a permanent home for one fire station, the head of the Fire Fighters Association in Surprise said another station is losing a critical component. Work on Fire Station 304 began Sept. 9 in the city’s northern section. But an engine at Station 305, 15517 N. Parkview Place, went out of service at the same time, while the city awaits word on an extension of a federal grant to help pay for the manpower to run it. Mike Payne, who leads the Surprise chapter of the United Phoenix union, said it’s unacceptable for the city to go without an engine to pump water to ladder trucks in the busiest section of the city. The city, meanwhile, said it has a good backup plan in order. “Public Safety remains a top priority for the City of Surprise and our residents,” City Manager Mike Frazier and Fire Chief Tom Abbott wrote in answers to questions the Surprise Independent submitted last week.
Sun Cities Independent

Hometown Heroes: Oro Valley school brings in first responders to talk about 9/11

VIDEO: Many of us remember where we were or what we were doing on Sept. 11. But most children today have no memory of the tragedies that happened in 2001. The Leman Academy of Excellence is making sure children understand the sacrifice first responders made that day. In a gym, students sat quietly with their eyes glued to a stage on Wednesday. It was similar to how we all sat in front of our TVs 18 years ago when America was attacked. After the assembly, the students had the chance to meet with and get autographs from first responders. “We come out in solidarity with those that we’ve lost as well as all those who continue to be on the job,” said J.R. Colby, a paramedic at Golder Ranch Fire and father to a Leman student. His son was wearing his firefighter helmet as he collected signatures. In 2001, many other helmets were worn.
Tucson News Now

Peoria, Goodyear, Surprise to resume paramedicine efforts

According to local first responders, approximately 70% of discharged patients wind up back in the hospital within 30 days of their release. Now, Peoria first responders and others throughout the West Valley are working together to combat this high statistic. The Peoria Fire-Medical Department was recently awarded a $175,000 grant to facilitate a one-year community paramedicine pilot program with fire departments from the cities of Goodyear and Surprise. The Peoria City Council unanimously approved the agreement at a September 3 regular meeting, with Goodyear and Surprise council members slated to approve their measures later this month. Assuming no logistical challenges arise, the program should take effect Monday, September 30, Peoria spokeswoman Kristina Perez said.
Peoria Times

First responders honored by Rotary Club of Tucson on anniversary of 9/11

VIDEO: About 30 first responders were honored by the Rotary Club of Tucson on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The honor was done not only to remember the events of that fateful day but also to show appreciation for the services first responders provide to the community on a daily basis. It’s been 18 years since the attack on the World Trade Center and there’s been concern that as time passes, emotions wane giving way to a tendency to forget the sacrifices made by the 412 first responders who died. The Rotary Club of Tucson wants the community to know it won’t forget. The first responders were led into the luncheon by the sound of bagpipes and each sat at a table in a white draped chair reserved for them, an opportunity for the members to learn about what they do and a chance to thank them for their service.
Tucson News Now

Officials: Spark from rock strike likely caused wildfire near Flagstaff

Officials say a wildfire that burned through a northern Arizona mountain pass near Flagstaff was likely started by a spark from a piece of heavy equipment striking a rock during a forest-thinning project. Coconino National Forest officials say an excavator was being used on a steep slope and that "the resulting spark" created a heat source that stayed underground for a half-day until warm, dry and windy conditions caused the fire to grow and spread on July 21. Officials said the fire's start was not caused by negligence "and that all proper inspections were conducted." The fire was declared fully contained Aug. 15 after burning three square miles (seven square kilometers). Officials have said fighting the fire and dealing with its aftermath was expected to cost over $13 million.
KGUN-TV ABC 9 Tucson

Duncan Valley Rural Fire District okays annexation of town into district

With two signatures Tuesday night, it became official — the town of Duncan is now part of the Duncan Valley Rural Fire District approved by the annexation of the Town of Duncan into the district. “It’s been a long time coming,” said district board chairman Charles Billinglsey. “I’ve been with the Fire Department since November 1975, and I’ve seen them try and try and try. I’m glad to see it finally happen.” The Citizens For Rural Fire Protection ad hoc committee was tasked with obtaining signatures of approval of 50 percent plus one of property owners within the area to be annexed, with a minimum of 50 percent plus one of the valuation of that property. Committee members gathered 221 valid signatures — with another 12 found to be invalid — with property assessed at a valuation $1.09 million.
Eastern Arizona Courier