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.^[3] 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.

Arizona Fire and Medical Authority

Operational area
Country	United States
State	Arizona
Cities	Sun City West, Buckeye, Tonopah, Sun Lakes, Wittmann
Agency overview[1][2]
Established	2017
Annual calls	18,270 (FY 21–22)
Employees	122 Firefighters, 34 EMS personnel, 29 Administrative personnel, 50 Fire Corp volunteers (FY 21–22)
Annual budget	$56,291,209 (FY 23–24)
Staffing	Career
Fire chief	Mark Burdick
EMS level	ALS
IAFF	3573
Facilities and equipment
Battalions	3
Stations	12
Engines	10
Trucks	1
Ambulances	16
Website
www.afma.az.gov
IAFF website

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.^[4] 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.

On August 28, 2025, the Town of Guadalupe Council voted to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement with AFMA to provide fire and emergency services to the town, thereby replacing the Guadalupe Fire Department and absorbing their firefighters.^[5]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[6] Upon receiving the feasibility study, the Sun City Fire District board voted to opt out of any potential merger.^[7]

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).^[8]

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. In mid 2025, the department restructured their battalion numbers to better align with their overall mission. Battalion 10 became Battalion 33, Battalion 23 became Battalion 34, and Battalion 32 remained the same.

Battalion 32 (Buckeye Valley)

Fire Station Number	Address	Engine Company	Ladder Company	EMS Medic Transport unit	Command Unit	Specialized Unit
Administration	18818 N. Spanish Garden Drive
321	4715 N. 189th Ave	Engine 321		Medic 321
322	36511 W. Salome Highway	Engine 322				Brush Truck 322, Water Tender 322
324	25206 W. MC85			Medic 324, Medic 325, Medic 327	Battalion Chief 321
326	19937 W. Arlington Rd	Engine 326		Medic 326		Brush 326, Water Tender 326
328	29938 W. Taylor St	Engine 328		Medic 328		Brush 328, Water Tender 328
329	26127 W. Beardsley Pkwy			Medic 329

Battalion 33 (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
331	19001 N. Camino Del Sol	Engine 331		Medic 331	Battalion Chief 331	Rehab 331
332	20622 N. Stardust Blvd		Ladder 332	Medic 332
333	13431 W. Deer Valley Dr	Engine 333		Medic 333		Brush Truck 333
334	24930 N. 119th Avenue	Engine 334				Brush Truck 334, Water Tender 334
335	20303 W. Patton Road	Engine 335		Medic 335		Brush Truck 335, Water Tender 335

Battalion 34 (Sun Lakes)

Fire Station Number	Address	Engine Company	Ladder Company	EMS Medic Transport unit	Command Unit	Specialized Unit
Administration	25020 S. Alma School Road
341	25455 S. Sun Lakes Blvd	Engine 341		Medic 341	Battalion Chief 341
342	25020 S. Alma School Rd	Engine 342		Medic 342