Arizona Fire & Medical Authority Governing Board Members

In February 2017, the Governing Boards of North County Fire & Medical District (formerly Fire District of Sun City West and Wittmann Fire District) and South County Fire & Medical District (formerly the Sun Lakes and Tonopah Fire Districts) approved the adoption of an Intergovernmental Agreement forming the first Fire & Medical Authority in Maricopa County, Arizona. The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority (AFMA) was established pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes governing a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). In 2023, Buckeye Valley Fire District became a third partner agency under the Authority. Under this model, the districts retain local control over their budgets and services provided while maintaining separate tax rates. However, the personnel, equipment, facilities and daily operations of the combined districts are governed by a JPA or Authority Governing Board. The Authority Governing Board is comprised of seven governing board members who are appointed from each partner agency in the JPA with the goal of providing equitable representation. Two board members are appointed by each partner agency with a seventh board member appointed by the AFMA Governing Board.

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William "Gary" Benson

Authority Board Chairman
Buckeye Valley Fire District
Term Expires: December 2026
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Karen Gueltzow

Authority Board Clerk
South County Fire & Medical District
Term Expires: December 2026
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Gary Aleshire

Authority Board Member
South County Fire District
Term Expires: December 2026
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Melanie Hardy

Authority Board Member
Buckeye Valley Fire District
Term Expires: December 2026
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Dawn Miller

Authority Board Member
North County Fire District
Term Expires: December 2026
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James Young

Authority Board Member
North County Fire District
Term Expires: December 2026
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Diane Price

Authority Board Member, 7th Board Member Seat
South County Fire & Medical District
Term Expires: December 2026

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For All Emergencies
Official website for the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, the Buckeye Valley Fire District, the North County Fire & Medical District, and the South County Fire & Medical District.
Phone: (623) 544-5400 | Email: info@afma.az.gov
18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West, Arizona 85375