VISION
BE THE COMMUNITY OF LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES.
PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES FOR A SAFE, THRIVING COMMUNITY, WHILE HONORING OUR HISTORY AND INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE.
VALUES MISSION
Buckeye City Council
623.349.6950
623.687.6304 cell eorsborn@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2024
623.349.6944
623.745.6308 cell phagestad@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2026
623.349.6941
623.300.8492 cell tyoungker@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2024
623.349.6942
623.300.6063 cell jguy@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2024 Patrick HagEstad District 4
JAKE RHOADES
It is with great pleasure that I present to you the Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department 2023 Annual Report. As we look back over another year, it is with great pride and gratitude that I share with you the highlights and accomplishments of our department from the last year. This annual report serves not only as a reflection of our collective efforts but also as a testament to the values that guides us: Family, Integrity, Resilient, and Evolving. These values, combine with the newly established City of Buckeye values, are verification that our members are truly a part of something that is special in serving the City of Buckeye and its citizens. As we embrace the new, do right, lend a hand, find a way, enjoy our work, and celebrate uniqueness, it is easy to see why we are able to deliver such a high level of customer service as our members embody these values every day and in everything we do.
One of the significant milestones of the year was the groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 707. This marks the commencement of a new chapter in our department’s history as we begin to expand our coverage to better serve the community. This station will open in December 2024 and be the first of many upcoming stations and resources on the horizon.
the goals and objectives to enhance the service level delivery to the community. This inclusive approach to strategic planning is a testament to the department’s commitment to excellence and is proactive stance in shaping the future of firefighting services in the region.
The women and men of the Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment throughout the year. Your professionalism, sense of responsibility, integrity, dependability, and empathy have not only upheld the standards of our department, but have also reassured our community that they can depend on us in times of need. There have been an abundance of change over the last year in leadership, structure, and our culture. I appreciate your holding steadfast and supporting the organization on every level. Because of you, this department is what it is today!
As we move forward into the coming year, let us carry the lessons and accomplishments of 2023 with us. 2024 marks the year that we will accomplish International Accreditation further confirming our vision: “Be the Best and Build for the Future”. Together, guided by our values, we will continue to grow, evolve, and serve with excellence.
The Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department worked to develop and publish a community driven strategic plan. This plan serves a crucial roadmap that will shape the department’s goals, strategies, and objectives for the next three years. In this collaborative effort, the department actively sought input from a diverse group of external and internal stakeholders. External stakeholders were actively engaged in the process, providing valuable insights, perspectives, and recommendations that contributed to the comprehensive and well-informed nature of the strategic plan. These external stakeholders brought a broad range of expertise and perspectives, ensuring that the strategic plan is reflective of the needs and expectations of the wider community and partners involved with the department. The internal team took it from there as they reshaped the department Mission, Vision, and Values as well as established
Thank you for you dedication and support.
Jake Rhoades Fire Chief
SHIFT
FIRE CHIEF
ASSISTANT CHIEF OPERATIONS
COMMANDERS
CAPTAINS ENGINEERS
FIREFIGHTERS
DEPUTY CHIEF COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION
COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE MANAGER
PARAMEDIC
DIVISION CHIEF
ACCREDITATION MANAGER MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
INSPECTIONS PLANS REVIEW
ASSISTANT CHIEF ADMINISTRATION
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BATTALION CHIEF
RESOURCE SERVICES TECHNICIAN
CHIEF TRAINING
THE IDENTIFICATION AND MITIGATION OF COMMUNITY RISK, WORKING TOGETHER AS A PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM TO PREPARE FOR AND RESPOND TO EMERGENCY INCIDENTS FOR THE BUCKEYE COMMUNITY.
BE
FAMILY - our workplace is made up of amazing individuals who are real, vulnerable, transparent human beings who speak from the heart, value other’s contributions, and invest in each other’s growth to achieve greatness while having fun along the way.
INTEGRITY - Our members honor our profession and inspire others to preserve trustworthiness, honesty, and compassion
RESILIENT - We have the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. We adapt well to change. We are flexible in our ways. We allow teachable moments and don’t let circumstances define us.
EVOLVING - We are adaptive to change and recognize our mission will transform as does our community. We will keep an eye on the future and trends that elicit our continued evolution. We will alter our service so that we meet the needs of our citizens and community in every possible way.
NEW HIRES
Rayne Gray
Assistant Fire Chief
Matt Roque
Resource Specialist
Nettie Thorpe
Management Assistant
Colton Ott Firefighter
Matthew Barajas Firefighter
Cody Dewell Firefighter
VOLUNTEERS
Chaplain
Jeff Judy Chaplain Mike Chon
Chaplain
Aretta Hampton
Chaplain Tom Masten
Chaplain Mike Woods
Jonathon Gates Firefighter
Fred Baldridge II Firefighter
Daniel Vinas Firefighter
Jennifer Rigby Firefighter
Daniel Schuelke Firefighter
Connor Spire Firefighter
Oscar Perez Firefighter
Zach Moore Firefighter
Daniel Williams Firefighter
PROMOTIONS
Cody Rounds Captain
Lewis Williams Captain
Steve Puchta
Christin Yates
Captain
Captain
Michael McCarthy Engineer
Alex Dihel Engineer
Ryan Clark Engineer
John “JP” Molitor Engineer
Cole Yohn Engineer
Lane Plutowski Engineer
Michael Castillo Engineer
YEARS OF SERVICE
2023 AWARDS
Civilian of the Year
Kristie McCarthy
Officer of the Year
Cory Redding
Firefighter of the Year
Cory Wenzl
EMS/Paramedic of the Year
Dan Malanowski
Support Staff Member of the Year
Pete Shiple
20 Years
William Burnett
10 Years
Nate Ryan
John Molitor
Aaron Stone
Jeffrey Doerr
Michael Pasch
Ely Rivera
Jeffrey Miller
Health and Wellness Award
Cody Rounds
Company of the Year – Ladder 703 C Shift
Cody Rounds
Jeremy Dowden
Dave Chappell
Dan Schuelke
Fire Chief’s Award
Robert Garza
Jason Seyfert
Ely Rivera
Joe Frazier
Dan Malanowski
Mike Castillo
RETIREMENTS
Scott Bland Captain
22 years of service
TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
At 11:37 a.m. on April 19, 2023, a special ops confined space assignment was dispatched to a tilt slab construction site near W Durango St and S Miller Rd in Buckeye. Buckeye PD had reported that a construction worker had fallen into a 100 foot deep hole and the condition of the victim was unknown. The victim was not visible to fire department crews at surface level. It was determined early that this was a rescue and not a recovery. After Air Coms and Rigging were all confirmed ready and safe, an Entry Rescuer was lowered into the hole for patient extraction. Patient contact by the rescuer was at 2:02 p.m. The patient was packaged and secured with a helmet and “HotSeat” at 2:06 p.m. Victim extraction began with a haul team. The patient and rescuer were safely removed from the hole. The patient was transferred to the hospital. Critical factors for this incident were a deep, un-shored narrow hole, limited access/confined space, unstable soil conditions and time.
Certified FAA
Certified Technical
Cory Wenzl
Brett Gilliland
Aaron Stone Tony Mallaro Logan Buchanan Myles Cumberland
2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
January
**Members participated in a “Plume Phase” training exercise with the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management. Members staffed the County Emergency Operations Center as the City of Buckeye Liaison. This exercise was practiced for the the future FEMA evaluated exercise scheduled for March.
February
**The MOU for the AFG Regional Grant Award was signed and funds were distributed by the Harquahala Valley Fire District. Our department received $171,446.
March
**Three members graduated from Paramedic school while the remaining 13 graduated at the end of 2023.
June
**Crews participated in a Drowning Response drill at the Buckeye Aquatic Center. The event was sponsored by the United Buckeye Firefighters Charities.
July
**The training department developed, implemented and ran the regional Tactical Thursdays for the West Valley Region Training Consortium at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center.
September
**The department participated in several events in honor of Patriots Day.
**Pinning & Swearing-In Ceremony
• Eight new sworn members
• Eight promotions
Two non-sworn members
October
April
**The department hosted an Open House at Fire Station 705 in Tartesso where station tours and child car seat safety checks were offered.
May
• **An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) exercise was held and included members from various city departments. They were trained in how to set up the EOC, make wireless emergency alerts and set up an emergency shelter for residents.
• **Chief Rhoades and the department recognized three Buckeye police officers after they successfully used an AED in two separate incidents highlighting the critical partnership between police and emergency crews.
August
• **The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan for the department was released. As part of the process, our members collaborated to update the mission, vision and values for the department.
• **The department achieved ISO Fire Suppression rating of 2. Maintaining this rating signifies our commitment to our community by providing the best emergency services possible and having a positive impact on insurance rates in Buckeye.
**Captain Alex Groneman filled the new position of Training Captain at Fire Administration. This position oversees the Buckeye Training Academy maintenance and operations as well as the GRPSTC recruits & RTO’s
• **The department raised $5,431 & took 2nd place while participating in Arizona Burn Foundation’s Cook Like a Firefighter challenge.
November
• **Groundbreaking ceremony was held for the long anticipated Station 707 which is slated to be completed at the end of 2024.
Core Construction, City Council, City Manager, along with various members of the department attended the celebratory event.
December
• **The department officially launched the volunteer responding chaplain program. There is a 24/7 on-call schedule for the five responding chaplains.
2023 SPECIAL EVENTS
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
• 9th Annual Buckeye Marathon
• Buckeye Days in Downtown Buckeye
• Kiwanis Club road clean up Party in the Park event organized by the Village Community and Rec Center
• Super Bowl LVII at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale Annual Buckeye Air Fair
MARCH
• Family Hope Fest Bike Buckeye events hosted by the Mayor
APRIL
• Fill the Boot Campaign for Muscular Distrophy 25th Annual Spring Celebration held at Sundance Park
• 4th Annual Step IT Up Autism Awareness Walk held at Tartesso Community Sports Park
• Annual April Pools Day at the Aquatic Center
• White Tank Heritage Run held at Verrado’s Heritage Swim Park
Easter Egg Hunts & Spring/Easter Community events held at Desert Hills Baptist Church, Sienna Hills Community Park, and Church at Sun Valley
MAY
• Field Day at John S. McCain Elementary School
• Tartesso Elementary School Career Day for K-5th Grade
• Water Fun Day at Scott Libby Elementary School. Students enjoyed being sprayed by the fire engine. Waving of the American Flag at the Memorial Day event held at the Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery.
JUNE
• Free Pool Day at the Buckeye Aquatic Center where the dept. partnered with United Buckey Firefighters Charities, AFMA, and Banner Health providing hands-only CPR demos
• CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants at the Sundance Recreation Center
JULY
• Buckeye Super Heroes back to school event
• Young Hearts Preschool visit Independence Day Celebration at the Buckeye Airport
SEPTEMBER
• Pancake Breakfast sponsored by Tinkled Pink & Ebb and Flow at The Center on Main Storytime at the Buckeye Coyote Library Branch
• Bike Team at the Phase 2 Grand Opening at Sundance Park
• Kickball Battle of the Badges
• Citadel of Praise First Responders Appreciation Ceremony The department participated in several events held on Patriot Day to honor the heroes and remember the fallen of 9/11.
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER
• Visit to Marionneaux Elementary School during National Fire Prevention Week
• GAIN (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods) Night hosted at Sundance Park
• CPR Training with Verrado Health Occu pations students at Verrado High School Auditorium Trunk or Treat events the weekend before Halloween
• Smoke detector walk installed 66 smoke alarms in 44 homes. EMS Division Chief participated in the Buckeye Youth Council
• TurkeyFest 2023 resulted in 340 turkeys collected and donated to All Faith Food Bank
DECEMBER
Glow on Monroe Electric Light Parade in downtown Buckeye
• Station Tour with Cub Scout Pack 402
• JCPenny in Goodyear hosted the department along with BPD at the annual Shop with a Firefighter/Police Officer event
• Cotton Festival in downtown Buckeye
• Christmas Festival at Foothills Park hosted by the Church at Sun Valley
• Sun City Festival Annual Christmas Parade
• Buckeye Santa Run
• 6th Annual Tartesso Christmas Parade at Tartesso Elementary School
Sundance Christmas Parade
2023 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
9,407 Total Incidents
11,686* Unit Responses
*INDICATES
Responding Unit(s) to Incidents
Travel Time to Urgent Responses by Engine, Within their Assigned Zone - 90th Percentile
Travel Time to Urgent Responses, by Any First Arriving Engine within Zone - 90th Percentile
Apparatus Responses by Days of the Week (11,686 total)
Medical Response by Engine Company
Mutual Aid Received by Jurisdiction (1,640 total)
Response by Jurisdiction
Fire Response Zone
Unit Commitment Factor
Incidents by Shift
Total BFMRD Incidents by Year
Total BFMRD Unit Responses by Year
2023 YEAR IN NUMBERS:
2023 Year End: 1,059 Total
262 PATIENT INTERACTIONS
98 AED INSTALLATIONS AND TRAINING
90
CRISIS TEAM INTERACATION
139
386
PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT MISCELLANEOUS
84
2023 TRAINING DIVISION
ISO:
• Total training hours: 22,668
• Total average 120 members: 189
• Hours required per member: 188*
* All members met required training hours for CY2023.
NFPA:
• Total training hours: 3,5251
• Total average 120 members: 294
• Hours required per member: 128*
• Total training hours: 5,7919
• Total average 120 members: 483
• Total +/- per member: +166
* All members met required training hours for CY2023.
TECHNICAL RESCUE:
• Requires 200 hours of class and proficiency confined space, high angle, trench and swift water rescue.
• An additional 33 hours required yearly to maintain certifications.
AT A GLANCE:
• 62 percent of training was conducted in-house and facilitated by the Training Chief with assistance of either O.T. personnel or on-duty members.
• 38 percent of training was facilitated by outside agencies primarily consisting special operations training (HazMat and T.R.T.).
• Of the regional, 86% was TRT/HAZ and 14% was Tactical Thursday at GRPSTC.
AIR RESCUE TECHNICIAN:
• Buckeye Fire is one of only four departments in the valley trained specifically for air rescue operations.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM:
• Requires 200 hours of class and proficiency in hazardous material recognition/mitigation, meter reading, and decontamination procedures.
• An additional 33 hours required yearly to maintain certifications.
TOP FIVE CALL TYPES
1. Sick person
2. Fall with injury
3. Difficulty breathing
4. Altered level of consciousness
5. Chest pain
• In 2020, any-mention sudden cardiac arrest mortality in the U.S. was 436,852.
• 73.4% of cardiac arrests occur at a home or residence.
• 9-1-1 responder witnessed cardiac arrests and had a 15.9% survival to hospital discharge.
• Heart disease and stroke claim more lives each year in the United States than all forms of cancer and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (CLRD) combined.
Sources:
American Heart Association
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
