Operations Section
Serving Our Community 24/7
The Operations Section is the frontline of Arizona Fire & Medical Authority's emergency response services. Under the leadership of Assistant Chief Joe Hester, our dedicated firefighters and emergency medical personnel stand ready to protect and serve our community around the clock.
Daily Operations & Deployment
The Operations Section oversees the daily operations and deployment which are led by three (3) battalion chiefs in each of the Authority's three districts. The battalion chiefs supervise all of the personnel, stations, and incidents within the Authority. Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel work 48 hours on, 96 hours off and change shifts at 8 a.m. every other day.
The Authority currently staffs:
- 10 Paramedic Engine Companies
- 1 Paramedic Ladder Company
- 16 Paramedic Ambulance Units
All units operate 24 hours per day / 7 days per week from our 12 strategically located fire stations. All Operations/Deployment personnel are either Paramedics or EMTs that are trained to provide Basic or Advanced Life Support for any medical emergency within our jurisdiction.
Our Structure
The Operations Division encompasses multiple critical areas that work together to deliver comprehensive emergency services:
Emergency Response Battalions
Battalion 321
Battalion Chief Managers: Brandon Johnson (A-Shift), Spencer Snyder (B-Shift), Shawn Holcomb (C-Shift) Stations: 321, 322 (formerly 341), 324, 326, 328
Battalion 331 (formerly Battalion 101)
Battalion Chiefs: Nate Benear (A-Shift), Dean Mitchell (B-Shift), Walt Loerzel (C-Shift) Stations: 331 (formerly 101), 332 (formerly 102), 333 (formerly 103), 334 (formerly 104), 335 (formerly 106), 329
Battalion 341 (formerly Battalion 231)
Battalion Chiefs: Andrew Skinner (A-Shift), David Barnett (B-Shift), Jon Lacy (C-Shift) Stations: 341 (formerly 231), 342 (formerly 232)
Emergency Medical Services Division
Leadership: Deputy Chief Nick Ells Our EMS division provides advanced life support services throughout our jurisdiction, staffed by highly trained paramedics and emergency medical technicians. The EMS team includes:
- Doug Costal - EMS Educator
- Brody Marshall - EMS Coordinator
- Chris Barden - Ambulance Transportation and Compliance Manager
Training Division
Leadership: Deputy Chief Don Wiley The Training Division ensures all operational personnel maintain the highest standards of readiness and professional development. Our training programs include:
- Chris Rogers - Training Captain
- Frank Sanora - Training Captain
- Continuous education in fire suppression, emergency medical care, technical rescue, and hazardous materials response
- Recruit academy programs
- Ongoing professional development and certification maintenance
Our Mission
The Operations Division responds to a wide range of emergencies including:
- Structure and wildland fires
- Emergency medical services and advanced life support
- Vehicle accidents
- Technical rescue operations
- Hazardous materials incidents
- Community emergency preparedness
Commitment to Excellence
Our operational personnel undergo continuous training and maintain the highest standards of emergency response. Each shift is strategically positioned across our fire stations to ensure optimal response times and comprehensive coverage throughout our jurisdiction.
For emergencies, always dial 911. For non-emergency inquiries, contact Arizona Fire & Medical Authority.