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First Responder: Vance Gray is Queen Creek's Hometown Hero for January

Posted 1/20/25

When he started working with the Rural Metro Fire Department in 1989, Vance Gray never thought becoming a chief “was in the cards.”

Today, Gray is entering his seventh year as chief …

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QCHH

First Responder: Vance Gray is Queen Creek's Hometown Hero for January

Posted

When he started working with the Rural Metro Fire Department in 1989, Vance Gray never thought becoming a chief “was in the cards.”

Today, Gray is entering his seventh year as chief of the Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department.

In 2014, Gray, who was assistant fire chief for Gilbert Fire & Rescue where he was one of the 20 original firefighters that formed the town’s first fire department, joined and served as the deputy fire chief organizing and directing the activities of the operations division.

When he began his career, Gray knew he wanted to help others. Now as chief, he’s proud that his reach has extended.

“Now, as the Queen Creek fire chief, I can serve both the citizens and those within the fire service and the ability to serve more people gives me great satisfaction,” he said.

Name: Vance Gray, Queen Creek Fire & Medical chief

Age: 59

Business Name: Town of Queen Creek – Fire & Medical Department

Town/neighborhood: Orchard Ranch

When and why I moved here: Moved to QC in May of 2004 because my wife and I very much wanted a community that had a rural feeling about it but with a solid plan for growth.

What I like most about living here: Queen Creek is an absolutely beautiful community due to its location to the San Tan and Goldmine Mountains to the south and the amenities that have been brought here.

What I do: Serve the Queen Creek community as the fire and medical chief

Personal background highlights: I am a proud Arizona native, born in Phoenix and have remained in Arizona here all my life with no plans to leave. Most importantly, becoming a husband and father is one of the greatest achievements I can think of.

Professional background highlights: I chose a career that began almost 36 years ago and truly love serving others to make their lives better. I never thought that being a fire chief was “in the cards” for me but with each increase in rank I achieved it has become very clear to me that serving others is one of the greatest gifts to be able to pass along.

What I like most about what I do: When I began my career in the fire service, I was drawn by the difference I could make to a citizen who was in need or having a bad day. Now, as the Queen Creek fire chief, I can serve both the citizens and those within the fire service and the ability to serve more people gives me great satisfaction.

What does being nominated for this category mean to you? Being nominated is such a great honor and for a community that I love just strengthens my feelings for Queen Creek and loving where I live and work.

What does it mean to be a Queen Creek resident? When I moved here, I was drawn heavily to the community but I did not yet work the town of Queen Creek. Now that I live in the community that I serve it is just an awesome feeling.

What do you think you bring to the local community that makes it better? Public safety is a big reason that people choose to live or move somewhere. I am just very proud to be a part of a large group of professionals that bring a great service. So, this is not about one person but a collective group that is doing great things.

What would you tell people about why it's important to make a difference in Queen Creek? Where you live is such a big part of your life and focusing on making Queen Creek a great place is why we have a great community and why we need to work hard every day to improve where we live.

Changes I'd like to see in this area: I don’t really have any specific changes in mind. I think there is a great plan in place for Queen Creek and love where it is going.

My family: I have been married to my wife, Irene, for almost 31 years and have two sons, Jack and Brandon.

My interests and hobbies: I love the outdoors and love to camp, hunt and fish.

The trait(s) I admire in others: Respect for others, honesty and being a nice person.

People who inspired me (and how): My parents always inspired me but now that I am older, I truly know how important the lessons were that they were trying to teach me. This makes my feelings of inspiration for them increase with each reminder of a lesson they taught me.     

My guiding philosophy: If you want to truly make a positive difference then dig in and put forth the effort rather than sitting by as an observer.

queen creek, hometown hero, vance gray, fire chief

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