A study determining the feasibility of the Sun City Fire District entering into an agreement to combine resources with other entities should be ready in December, according to district officials.
Acting Fire District Chief Rob Schmitz said the district is looking at a joint powers authority with Arizona Fire & Medical Authority.
“JPA is a district entering into an agreement to combine resources but still stay as a separate entity,” Schmitz said.
Such an authority is allowed under Arizona state law that would allow the partners to share resources, and it has been used by fire districts, according to the Arizona Fire District Association’s website.
Today, the authority covers 490 square miles and serves more than 75,000 residents across the Valley.
The Sun City Fire District board hired a consulting firm to study whether it is feasible to enter into a agreement with AFMA, Schmitz said.