Council Passes Resolution Supporting MFMD Effort to Secure Ambulance
Published on February 20, 2025
In a significant step toward enhancing emergency medical services for the City of Maricopa residents, the City Council passed a resolution at the February 18, 2025 meeting in support of the Maricopa Fire/Medical Department’s (MFMD) application for a Certificate of Necessity (CON) from the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma System. If granted, this CON would allow the City to operate its own ground ambulance transport service system, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable emergency transport for community members in need.
“Public safety is our top priority, and tonight’s decision showcases our commitment to ensuring Maricopa residents receive the best possible emergency care,” said Mayor Nancy Smith. “This is a major step forward in strengthening our City’s ability to serve its growing population.”
For years, ambulance services in Maricopa have been provided by private companies regulated by the State. However, with the City’s growth, the need to control a reliable and sustainable emergency ground ambulance transport response model that keeps pace with community demands is essential. With a CON, MFMD would have the authority to deploy its own ambulances, improving response times and giving the City control over emergency ground medical transport.
“Maricopa is no longer the small town it once was when I first started working on the private ambulance here, and our emergency services need to evolve with it,” said Maricopa Fire/Medical Chief Brad Pitassi. “As our population grows, we must have an ambulance service that is reliable, responsive, and focused on meeting the unique needs of our community.”
A Strategic Model for Emergency Services
MFMD is maintaining a high standard for the new service, which will be staffed completely with MFMD firefighters. All incoming recruits will continue to be required to be certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and attend the fire academy, just like the current personnel. There will also be an increased number of firefighters attending paramedic school, which is a full-time, six-month school to teach advanced pre-hospital medical skills needed to become a certified paramedic. With this all-sworn firefighter model, MFMD has the flexibility to adjust staffing based upon demand so the community gets the swiftest and most effective response in any emergency.
“Our goal has always been to create a workforce that is dedicated and capable to serve the community during any fire or medical emergency,” Pitassi explains. “By ensuring all of our personnel have the same high level of training, we’re not only staffing effectively to serve, but investing in the long-term success of those who choose to work here and serve our community.”
Currently, every firetruck is staffed with two EMTs and two Paramedics, all of whom are certified firefighters. This ensures that the fire truck responding to your medical emergency can provide proper and immediate treatments when seconds count, even before an ambulance arrives.
Next Steps
On February 19th, the City submitted its formal application to the ADHS-BEMS, marking the beginning of the next phase in this process. While this process will take time, this vital step sets the foundation for a more reliable, efficient, and responsive emergency ground ambulance transport medical service in our growing community.
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