Between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 the Superstition Fire and Medical District responded to 9,912 incidents and had an average response time of four minutes and 13 seconds for all emergency incidents.

"This represents a 9% decrease from the previous year and is believed to be one of the best average response times in the state of Arizona. Additionally, the SFMD has a cardiac arrest survival rate of 30%, which is about three times higher than the state and national average," according to a release.

The SFMD recently completed its 2018-19 annual performance report, which reviews the metrics by which the organization is measured by the National Fire Protection Association  1710 Standard for career fire departments, according to the release.

"The annual report provides data for the organization as part of an on-going process to continually improve service delivery to the citizens within the fire district.  The report very much serves as an annual report card for the organization that reviews its ability to effectively respond to, and mitigate fires, emergency medical incidents and incidents that involve specialized rescue.," the release states.

 The annual report shows that the fire district is saving 88% of property and its contents when responding to structure fires. The full report can be viewed at sfmd.az.gov under “The District” tab.  

 Fire Chief Mike Farber credits the district's firefighters for their commitment to providing great service, the release states.

The firefighters train continuously, keep themselves in great physical shape and focus on being “mission ready' at all times, according to Chief Farber.

When station crews are dispatched to an incident, they have an average turn-out time of 55 seconds, which is below the standard set by the NFPA.  Turn-out time is measured from the time a crew is dispatched to the time the truck is physically moving from the fire station and includes the time in which firefighters put on their personal protective suits, the release states.  

The average emergency-incident response time was 5:27 in fiscal year 2016-17 when Mr. Farber began serving as fire chief.  The following year response times were reduced to an average of 4:38. This was largely attributed to him reducing the number of firefighters and chief officers assigned to a 40-hour staff position and reallocating the positions to the field, according to the release.

Additionally, the district applied for and was awarded a federal firefighter assistance grant --- a SAFER grant --- to fund additional firefighter positions. Collectively the additional firefighters positions were used to staff a second crew at the busiest fire station, at Idaho Road and 16th Avenue in Apache Junction. 

Chief Farber states that a four-minute response time is the “Gold Standard” for career fire departments.  The NFPA 1710 standard is to have the first unit on scene of a fire or emergency medical incident in four minutes or less 90% of the time.  And, when responding to a structure fire, the standard is to have two engine companies and one ladder company on scene within eight minutes or less 90% of the time, according to the release.

Chief Farber said the SFMD had rarely met the eight-minute goal prior to adding the additional company and increasing staffing levels.

"As a result of the increased staffing, the addition of the second unit and the reduction of response times, the SFMD was able to lower its Insurance Services Office rating from a 3 to a 2, placing the organization in the top 4% of all the fire departments in the country," the release states.  

[Related link: yourvalley.net/apache-junction-independent/stories/superstition-fire-and-medical-district-receives-class-2-public-protection-classification,106523?]

The Superstition Fire and Medical District provides fire suppression, fire prevention, wildland protection, advanced life support, rescue, extrication and medical transportation services out of five fire stations:

• Fire Station 261, 1135 W Superstition Blvd. in Apache Junction.
• Fire Station 262, 3955 E. Superstition Blvd. in Apache Junction
• Fire Station 263, 1645 S. Idaho Road in Apache Junction.
• Fire Station 264, 7557 E. U.S. Highway 60 in Gold Canyon.
• Fire Station 265, 9294 E. Don Donnelly Trail in Gold Canyon