As Maricopa continues to grow, so does the demand for emergency services. During a recent presentation to City Council, Fire Chief Brad Pitassi shared the Maricopa Fire/Medical Department's 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of record call volumes, expanded services, enhanced training, and major investments in the future of public safety.
The report demonstrates how the department is preparing not only for today's needs, but for the community Maricopa will become in the years ahead.
"Every number in this report represents a resident who needed help," said Fire Chief Pitassi. "Whether it's responding to a medical emergency, preventing a fire before it starts, or preparing for the launch of city-operated ambulance service, our focus remains the same: providing exceptional service to our community.”
Here are five key takeaways from this year's report:
1. Call Volumes Continue to Reach New Heights
It was another record-setting year for service. Maricopa Fire/Medical responded to 6,801 incidents in 2025, continuing a steady increase in demand across the community.
To put that growth into perspective, the department handled just over 4,200 incidents in 2019. In just six years, annual call volume has increased by more than 60 percent.
The most common calls for service in 2025 included:
These numbers reflect both Maricopa's population growth and the increasing complexity of emergency medical responses.
2. A Major Milestone for City-Led Ambulance Service
In February 2025, the department filed its application for ambulance service. In May of 2026, one of the City's most significant milestones was reached by receiving the Arizona Department of Health Services Director’s approval to be awarded the Certificate of Necessity (CON) from the state.
The CON authorizes Maricopa to operate its own ambulance service, creating a locally controlled system designed to improve emergency medical service delivery and better meet the community's needs.
The City has already ordered six new ambulances and remains on schedule to launch the first phase of ambulance operations in early 2027.
3. Preventing Emergencies Before They Start
Maricopa Fire/Medical reestablished a dedicated Fire Prevention Division, led by Fire Marshal Eddie Rodriguez and a full-time in-house Fire Plans Reviewer/Arson Inspector. The division also continues to enforce fire code in all new development plans and construction, building inspections, and fire code enforcement efforts that help keep the community safe.
While emergency response remains a core mission, the department recognizes that preventing emergencies before they happen is just as important.
In 2025, the Community Risk Reduction division lead by Daniel Wehle launched a Smoke Detector Program that completed 18 residential appointments and inspected 110 smoke alarms to ensure residents had working protection in their homes.
4. Significant Investments in Personnel and Training
Meeting the demands of a growing city requires both additional staffing and continued professional development.
In 2025, the City added 10 new firefighter positions to strengthen response capabilities and prepare for future growth.
Training efforts also reached new levels. Firefighters completed 11,271 hours of fire/EMS training, representing a 66 percent increase over 2024.
This training covered a wide range of emergency scenarios, ensuring crews remain prepared to respond to everything from medical emergencies and structure fires to technical rescues and hazardous material incidents.
"Our residents count on our firefighters to be subject matter experts in solving problems when they call 911," Chief Pitassi said. "The investment we're making in staffing and training helps ensure our firefighters are equipped with the skills and resources they need to protect our evolving community and solve complex problems.”
5. Modernizing the Fleet for the Future
The department continues to invest in modern equipment that supports firefighter safety and operational readiness.
In 2025, the City ordered 10 new fire apparatus, including:
The department also received recognition as a NIOSH Gold Helmet Department for its participation in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, demonstrating its commitment to firefighter health and long-term wellness.
Looking Ahead
From expanding emergency medical capabilities to investing in prevention, personnel and equipment, Maricopa Fire/Medical continues to position itself to meet the needs of one of Arizona's fastest-growing communities.
Residents who would like to learn more about the department's accomplishments, challenges and future plans are encouraged to watch Chief Pitassi's complete Annual Report presentation linked below. The full presentation provides a deeper look at the data, initiatives and investments shaping the future of fire and emergency medical services in Maricopa.
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