# Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, often referred to as AFMA, is a fire authority in Maricopa County, Arizona. Comprising three fire districts that came together to form a Fire and Medical Authority, AFMA provides fire protection and emergency medical services to approximately 75,000 people in the communities of Sun City West, Buckeye, Tonopah, Sun Lakes, and Wittmann. The department is one of 26 jurisdictions within the Phoenix area that is dispatched by the Phoenix Fire Department Regional Dispatch Center and participates in the Automatic Aid system.

## Overview

In 2017, the North County and South County Fire & Medical Districts merged to form the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority. This type of merger is known as a Joint Power Authority (JPA) in Arizona, which allows two or more public authorities to come together and share resources while maintaining control of their budgets and tax rates. In 2022, it was announced that the Buckeye Valley Fire District would become the third fire district to join AFMA. The merger became official in 2023. The authority is run by the Authority Governing Board, with seven members. Two members from each district are appointed to the Board, with the last member being chosen by the Board.
The agency has gone through numerous mergers since its inception, and although Arizona Fire and Medical Authority remains the official name, battalions are still commonly referred to by their previous district names (North County, South County, Buckeye Valley, etc.). AFMA was in talks with the Sun City Fire District (SCFD) in regard to a potential merger, with SCFD awaiting a study to determine its feasibility. Upon receiving the feasibility study, the Sun City Fire District board voted to opt out of any potential merger.
Approximately 80% of Authority calls are medical. AFMA employs civilian EMTs and paramedics to staff their ambulances.
In 2014, North County became the first fire department in Arizona to receive an ISO Class 1 rating. South County followed suit with their own Class 1 rating in 2019.
The Authority is accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).

## Stations and Apparatus

AFMA has 12 stations and 3 administration buildings divided among 3 battalions. The main administration building is located in Sun City West.

### Battalion 10 (Sun City West)

| Fire Station Number | Address | Engine Company | Ladder Company | EMS Medic Transport unit | Command Unit | Specialized Unit |
| Administration | 18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive | | | | | |
| 101 | 19001 N. Camino Del Sol | Engine 101 | | Medic 101 | Battalion Chief 101 | |
| 102 | 20622 N. Stardust Blvd | | Ladder 102 | Medic 102 | | |
| 103 | 13431 W. Deer Valley Dr | Engine 103 | | Medic 103 | | Brush Truck 103 |
| 104 | 24930 N. 119th Avenue | Engine 104 | | | | Brush Truck 104, Water Tender 104 |
| 106 | 20303 W. Patton Road | Engine 106 | | Medic 106 | | Brush Truck 106, Water Tender 106 |

### Battalion 23 (Sun Lakes)

| Fire Station Number | Address | Engine Company | EMS Medic Transport unit | Command Unit | Specialized Unit |
| Administration | 25020 S. Alma School Road | | | | |
| 231 | 25455 S. Sun Lakes Blvd | Engine 231 | Medic 231 | Battalion Chief 231 | Rehab 231 |
| 232 | 25020 S. Alma School Rd | Engine 232 | Medic 232 | | |

### Battalion 32 (Buckeye Valley)

| Fire Station Number | Address | Engine Company | EMS Medic Transport unit | Command Unit | Specialized Unit |
| Administration | 18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive | | | | |
| 321 | 4715 N. 189th Ave | Engine 321 | Medic 321 | | |
| 324 | 25206 W. MC85 | | Medic 324, Medic 325, Medic 327 | Battalion Chief 321 | |
| 326 | 19937 W. Arlington Rd | Engine 326 | Rescue 326 | | Brush 326, Water Tender 326 |
| 328 | 29938 W. Taylor St | Engine 328 | Rescue 328 | | Brush 328, Water Tender 328 |
| 341 | 36511 W. Salome Highway | Engine 341 | | | Brush Truck 341, Water Tender 341 |