We enjoy the fire department and think this is the greatest fire department there is”

Fire Corps member Michael Bannon

It’s been five months since members of the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, 18818 N Spanish Garden Drive, Fire Corps were volunteering hours as normal to the Sun City West community.

Fire Corps member Michael Bannon said the group of 35 Fire Corps members enjoy putting the time in and being an asset to the community and Authority, saying the community is built on volunteerism. He said one of the biggest things missed by the members is the ability to do what they are trained for, which is to help the community.

“We enjoy the fire department and think this is the greatest fire department there is,” he explained. “I have been volunteering for more than 44 years and I have a sense of pride when it comes to giving back to the organization. AFMA has grown quite a bit and we have grown with it and gotten used to it. These volunteers sign up to go out and do whatever has to be done. Now it is limited, but we are still here to give the department whatever help we can give them and enjoy doing it.”

AFMA Deputy Chief Eric Kriwer said the Authority is very fortunate to have the volunteers, and the service the volunteers provide does not allow for them to distance themselves, with face-to-face contact and interaction.

“They have worked hard to get to retirement and we want to make sure they continue to stay healthy and we want to protect them,” Mr. Kriwer explained as to why the volunteers had to stop serving.

Mr. Bannon said the Authority had to pick up the slack for the present time to keep the volunteers safe. Mr. Kriwer said lock boxes are an essential part of community safety and the community risk management division picked up where the volunteers left off, with a slight delay.

Additionally, the Fire Corps were still engaged in things such as collecting masks and bringing them to different parts of the community, including senior care facilities to protect the employees and residents.

“They have also continued to do some administrative things at a distance, like take newspapers cut clipping and data entry from their homes,” Mr. Kriwer explained. “Another big thing is the programs we created, such as Home Safe, were volunteers go into homes and look for safety items that can help keep residents more safe by preventing trips and falls and that program had to be put on hold.”

The educational aspect of the Fire Corps has also stopped with training aspects like chest compressions, CPR and other wellness and public education.

From an administration level moving forward, Authority officials missed the help with supplies and courier services, as well as office assistance.

“The companionship we have created with the volunteers is difficult to skip out on and that can leave people feeling isolated and that can be difficult to deal with,” Mr. Kriwer explained.

As Authority officials look ahead, they are adjusting to the new normal and awaiting the safe return of the Fire Corps in a new capacity.