In our daily interaction with the citizens of Sun City we have compiled a list of the ten most frequently asked questions by the public. These questions relate to all areas of the fire district and fire department. Hopefully, by answering these questions, most, if not all, of your concerns will be addressed.
A - A Fire District is a political Subdivision of the State, formed for the protection of persons and property in an area approved by the county, usually in unincorporated areas.
A - Under the law, a board of five (5) citizens of Sun City is elected to govern the District. Board members serve four (4) year staggered terms. Elections are held every two (2) years in November, most recently in November of 2002.
A - For the fiscal year of 2003/2004 the Fire District budget was $7,345,399.
A - After the Board approves the budget, it is submitted to the County Treasurer. The county then contributes $300,000 of that amount, with remaining money necessary raised by a fire tax levied on properties in the district.
A - The Fire District Assistance Tax, ARS 48-807, is a special tax levied by counties to assist the operation of fire Districts. In Maricopa County this tax is less than one cent per 100 dollar assessed secondary evaluation.
A - The Sun City Fire Department joined a consortium of Fire Departments and entered into an automatic aid program with Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, El Mirage, Surprise, and Sun City West. Under automatic aid, dispatching computers select the closest available fire, rescue and/or paramedic units without regard of jurisdictional boundaries. Participating in automatic aid reduced average response time to less than four minutes.
A - Each Fire Department unit engine company has 2 state certified paramedics to administer advanced life support to the public. The geographic location of the fire stations enable the Fire Department to arrive on the scene of emergency calls in less than 4 minutes.
A - The Fire Department provides all first responder paramedic medical services for Sun City and Youngtown. The Fire Department administers the medical treatment and the ambulance transports the patient to a medical facility.
A - The Fire Department has a contract with a local ambulance company for transportation; however, you are free to request any ambulance company of your preference.