Cave Creek officials are exploring ways to provide fire protection and emergency medical services for the town, instead of relying on nearby municipalities’ departments.
The town hired independent consultant Kevin Roche of PSRM, who reviewed the recent fires and prepared a report for the council. Its current model of voluntary subscription fire and EMS is not sustainable, Roche said in his report. The limited service provided by Rural Metro Fire to the town’s residents depends on revenue from between 40% and 50% of the municipality’s properties. It also depends on the provision of mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions for simultaneous, moderate and larger emergencies.
“The willingness of the town’s neighbors to provide this backup for free is at the breaking point,” Roche wrote.