Get to Know us!

Meet our Newest Assistant Fire Chief Forrest Smith

Hello, my name is Forrest Smith, I am an Assistant Fire Chief and have been proudly working for the City of Mesa for 24 years.  I moved to the Valley one week before my employment started from Southern California.  

In my past life, prior to joining the Fire Department, I had an amazing journey working in the field of professional sports, sport marketing, and advertising back in the early to late 90’s.  After pursuing a career change and becoming a firefighter, I immediately became a paramedic and worked at some of the busiest fire stations in Mesa.  I would later promote to the ranks of Captain, Deputy Fire Chief, and ultimately to my current position obtained in the Summer of ‘22. 

I am ultimately responsible for and work with amazing administrators and personnel in our Regional Dispatch Center, Technical Services Division, and our Community Outreach Division which is made up of our Community Education, Social Services, and Office of Public Information areas.

What continues to attract me to working for the City of Mesa and the Fire/Medical Department is the abundance of opportunities to serve my employees and the citizens of Mesa by managing and developing programs that protects and improves the quality of life for those we serve.  I especially appreciate the ability I get to advocate for the resources my staff needs to serve our community and equally enjoy the amazing Fire Chief, Assistant Chiefs, and City leadership I work with day to day.  Working with and around individuals and professional staff that serve with a common goal to provide quality services to our community means a lot to me and gives me purpose.  From the day I started in the Fire Academy to now, I have been exposed to people in the Fire Department and within other departments within the City of Mesa who genuinely love their jobs, care about our community, and are driven to do the best for one another and those we serve.

As a city employee, over the years I found opportunities to volunteers with a multitude of organizations based in and around Mesa as well as attend a variety of leadership and training development programs.  In my current role, I get a front row seat to either participate in or experience my staff take part in city programs that show the City of Mesa is about the people it employs who truly strive to serve our vulnerable and underserved populations in amazing and creative ways.  

It is not all about work for me of course.  During my off days and in the evenings, I have the privilege of being able to train in and coach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to both young and older adults.  Training jiu-jitsu, weight training, yoga, and regularly walking our chihuahuas, Maggie and Maddox, are ways me and my wife exercise and spend quality time.  Of course, spending lots of time with our two grandkids is another thing we look forward to on the weekends.  When I commute to work or am just hanging out, I use that as an opportunity to listen to audiobooks which I enjoy immensely; I typically listen to non-fiction.  Audible has made it possible for me to listen to almost 15-days' worth of audiobooks in the past year and a half!

Finally, I value and cherish my family, friends, and colleagues who have supported me over the years during my ups and big-time downs! Although I truly enjoy all the things I listed earlier, nothing replaces the quality time in conversation, laughs, and sharing of ideas with those you love and cherish spending time with! I appreciate those I have been able to surround myself with and especially appreciate the limited time we have to make a difference in one-another’s life, so let’s laugh, respect, and be kind to one another! Stay safe and stay healthy!

12 +1 Days of Holiday Safety

1st Day- Choose a fire-resistant artificial tree or water fresh-cut trees daily. Keep the fresh tree base in water and all trees away from candles, fireplaces, or heaters.

2nd Day-Check lights before decorating- make sure string is intact and you use indoor lights inside and outdoor outside. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions including the number of strands that can be connected.

3rd Day-Smoke alarms! One on every level of home and in each bedroom. Check them monthly and replace the unit every 10 years.

4th Day-Many holiday plants such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe are harmful if ingested, ensure they are out of reach of all children and animals.

5th Day-Every family should Have a home fire escape plan, make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room and where the outside designated meeting place is.

6th Day-Use extension cords wisely. Do not overload, daisy-chain cords, run them under rugs or let them be a trip hazard. They should only be used temporarily.

7th Day-Keep open flames away from anything combustible such as holiday decorations, curtains, and upholstery. Use sturdy, enclosed, burn-resistant candle holder that won’t tip. Never leave your candles unattended.

8th Day-Matches and lighters are dangerous for kids, Keep all fire-starting items out of reach and sight.

9th Day-Remember to throw wrapping paper away in the trash. Putting the paper in the fire could result in a flash fire as the paper can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

10th Day-Install Carbon monoxide detectors outside of all sleeping areas if your house uses gas heating or appliances.

11th Day-Keep your children and pets safe! Watch them around open flames and all sources of heat.

12th Day-Maintain wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys. Have them inspected annually by a qualified professional. Keep a three-foot kid-free zone.

And Finally- The plus 1!!

Plan on a designated driver or ride share for all holiday parties. Don’t drink and drive.

HOT OFF THE PRESS...

New Dispatch Technology

Samantha Automated Digital Voice Dispatching; Making Response To 911 Calls Faster and More Efficient!

In this day and age, the public expects state of the art technology when it comes to 911 response.  As new innovations become available, taxpayers assume that their 911 system will take advantage of these opportunities to provide quicker more efficient response in times of crisis.  The Mesa Regional Dispatch Center (MRDC) certainly embraces the concepts of innovation and change in our effort to always provide a reliable, efficient, safe and secure 911 call center to meet the current and future demands of the City of Mesa and its surrounding dispatch partners.

The MRDC dispatches for 5 local fire departments which include Mesa Fire/Medical Department, Gilbert Fire and Rescue, Superstition Fire and Medical District, Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department and Rio Verde Fire District.  The MRDC dispatches approximately 300 calls a day via its 23 dispatch consoles, 30 full time Fire Dispatchers and 4 part-time fire dispatchers that have been trained to efficiently deploy the proper resources to 911 calls for service.   Needless to say, the dispatchers at the MRDC stay busy.

One recent innovation the MRDC has taken advantage of to help take some of the burden off the dispatchers and increase efficiency is Samantha Automated Voice Dispatching.  Samantha is a computer-automated dispatch module that assists public safety dispatchers during an emergency call by taking over the task of reading dispatch information aloud.  This alternative to a human manually speaking dispatch information for each call functions in a fraction of a second and can dispatch multiple fire stations simultaneously. The result is that Samantha relieves a dispatcher of a time-consuming task, freeing valuable time for other critical functions such as taking 911 calls.

Yet another advantage of Samantha is that the speech engine produces a calm, crystal-clear voice, delivered digitally to stations and through a voice radio system which is consistent, efficient & near immediate. It is so efficient and quick that often by the time a fire station crew hears the dispatch over the radio, the unit is usually in their vehicles already responding since the Samantha data is faster than a human dispatching one unit at a time.

Samantha is one example of how local dispatch centers and fire departments are using emerging technologies to improve service delivery to emergency services customers.  At the current pace of innovations, it can be assumed that Samantha will be simply one example in a growing list of technologies that will help the Mesa Regional Dispatch Center and east valley fire departments save lives and make a difference in their communities. 

Come Work With Us

New Year New You

Have you ever considered a career with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department (MFMD)? Have you ever even wondered what it takes to get started in a fire career? Did you know that 90% of 911 fire calls have a medical aspect to the response?

Are you interested in joining a rewarding career that contributes directly to the community, provides comradery but don’t know where to start or what the minimum qualifications are? Well, 2023 is the year to start getting ready for the 2024 firefighter recruit test. And we can help you learn.

Before we discuss being a firefighter let’s talk about other employment opportunities with MFMD. We are regularly accepting applications for Civilian Paramedic and Civilian Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Civilian Paramedics and EMT’s work side by side with our firefighters on medical calls and transport patients from emergency scenes to the hospital. We are currently accepting applications for Civilian Paramedic and anticipate opening applications for Civilian EMT’s in the spring or summer of 2023. The minimum qualifications for these positions are:

• Currently certified as a Paramedic or EMT
• High School Diploma or GED
• 18 years old
• AZ driver’s license

Getting your EMT has never been more convenient than it is today. There are many schools, both public and private, that offer classes ranging from a semester course at a community college to a 14-day course offered by an EMT school. To get more information regarding EMT schools do a web search for “EMT Schools Phoenix”. A listing of EMT and paramedic schools will be available to you across the Phoenix metro area to choose from. When contacting schools ask what classes are available that would fit your schedule. Once you get your EMT you will have one major boxed checked for your preparation to test for firefighter recruit. And while you’re waiting for the 2024 firefighter recruit exam you can apply for a Civilian EMT position to gain knowledge and insight into our department.  To be clear, you don’t have to work as an EMT to test for firefighter recruit as they are two separate positions.

Now let’s talk about what you need to know about testing for firefighter recruit. The first thing you need to do is make sure you meet the minimum qualifications to take the written test:

• 18 years old
• High School Diploma or GED
• Driver’s License

You will also need a valid Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) at time of Intern Orientation and a valid EMT or Paramedic certification which can be an Arizona State Certification or a National Registry Certification at time of job offer. We will talk more about this later.

The testing process for firefighter recruit is a 3-part test via invitation which includes the following:

• Virtual written exam
• Oral board interview
• Intern orientation

As mentioned, you will need a valid CPAT if you are invited to participate in the Intern Orientation. A CPAT is a certification that identifies you as having the fitness level to perform firefighting duties. You can obtain this certification through a community college or private business that is certified to deliver the test. Again, a web search will provide you with further information. While it is not required to have your EMT to test for firefighter recruit, it is required to accept a job offer. As testing gets closer, we will share when that deadline is to be certified via our MFMD recruitment website.

Let’s address the misnomer you may have heard that you must know somebody in the department if you want to get hired. We take pride in the fact that MFMD administers an equitable and inclusive testing process. We are looking for people that represent the diverse ethnicities and cultures found in the City of Mesa. But above all else, we are looking for those that want to serve others with Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, which happens to be the Mesa Fire and Medical mission statement of C.A.R.E.

If you need help with the testing process, there are many organizations that can do just that. Some of the organizations that offer such help are the East Valley Hispanic Bomberos, United Black Firefighters, Valley Women’s Firefighters, FireVets, and The Emerald Society. These organizations can be found via social media and are open to anyone needing help with firefighter testing. Some of these organizations even assign you a mentor to help you achieve your goal of becoming a firefighter.

Now that you have some basic information on what it takes to test for firefighter recruit, start the new year investing into a new career. For more information, please visit our recruitment website at Firefighter Recruitment | Mesa Fire & Medical (mesaaz.gov). You can also contact our Recruitment Specialist Mike Guardado at 480-644-5660.

Stay Safe Bringing in the New Year 

Fireworks in the City of Mesa have become quite popular, and especially so during celebrations for Independence Day and New Year’s. Use of permissible fireworks is allowed during these times, however there are limited windows for purchase and use, as well as the types that can be used. Following these guidelines helps ensure a safe celebration for you and your community as well as limit the chances of not just fires, but the amount of emergency responses that police and fire crews must respond to.

When Can I Buy and Use Fireworks?

For Independence Day, sales of approved fireworks take place between April 20^th to July 6^th. Use of these fireworks is limited to June 24^th through July 6^th. It is common to see stands inside various store fronts throughout the city during this time, as well as roadside tents where they are being sold by independent vendors.

As the end of the year approaches, we begin to see sales as well. These take place for New Year’s celebrations and are sold between December 10^th and January 3^rd. Use during this time frame is limited to December 24^th through January 3^rd.

Fireworks may be used outside of these timeframes but require special permitting through the Mesa Fire & Medical Department. Examples of events where fireworks may be used include homecoming games at high schools or the annual Mesa Marathon. These events involve large fireworks displays and are done by trained professionals. Fireworks used at events such as these are not available to the general public in Arizona.

What Type of Fireworks Can I use?

Legal fireworks can best be described as anything that does NOT shoot in the air or have ‘reports.’ Fireworks with reports produce a very loud noise along with visual effect that comes with it. Anything labeled EXPLOSIVE or SHOOTS FLAMING BALLS also violates local statutes and poses a higher threat for users and property. If the fireworks are RELOADABLE in any way, this is also a sign that the fireworks are illegal.

Permitted fireworks include anything that shoots sparks, emits smoke, and is GROUND BASED. Snappers, party poppers, glow worms and sparklers are permissible year-round. This information can also be found at https://fire.mesaaz.gov/community-outreach/fireworks

Stay Safe!

As with anything that burns, there is always the danger of injury to yourself, those around you as well as property. In order to limit the potential for these, we recommend having a fire extinguisher nearby, preferably a water extinguisher. All fireworks should be ignited at least ten feet from any structure or anything combustible. Do not leave lit fireworks unattended and keep them away from potential ignition sources like warming fires and cigarettes. If possible, wearing cotton, long sleeve shirts will protect your skin from exposure to flying sparks and embers. Dispose of used fireworks in a bucket of water for several hours before placing in the trash.

What if I see Illegal Fireworks in Use?

If you see illegal fireworks being used, please contact the Mesa Police Department non-emergency line at 480-644-2211. As always, if you see a fire or someone is injured from such fireworks dial 911 immediately. Questions about fireworks sales and permitting should be addressed to the City of Mesa Fire Prevention Department at 480-644-2622. 

🔥🔥 Burning Questions🔥🔥

Why are there 4 Members on a Crew?

By having four members on a crew, we are following NFPA Code 1710 which involves staffing of career fire departments. Scientific evidence, past history and firsthand experience were factors used in establishing the standard. Below are examples of why four person companies are pertinent to our operations -

      Two in/two out rule - in order to safely operate at the scene of a structure fire, two members should remain outside, while two members proceed inside to fight the fire and search for victims. In the event the inside firefighters became lost our trapped, there will still be a two-person team left to affect a       rescue.

      Four person crews can accomplish fire ground tasks faster than three person crews (on the fire ground, time is of the essence)

      On EMS calls, when the patient is in serious condition, it is all hands-on deck (many tasks need to be completed simultaneously) 

What are the roles of each member?

Captain - to manage and supervise the activities of crew members, assure that all required training is complete, assure that members are proficient at their jobs, take initial Command of incidents, until a BC arrives on scene, prepare reports, guide and discipline as needed, be a mentor for all members

Engineer -drive fire apparatus, engines, ladder truck; ensures vehicle and equipment maintenance and readiness; transports firefighting crews safely to fire and emergency scenes; operates firefighting apparatus, pumps, nozzles, hydraulic equipment, etc.

​Firefighters - lay and connect hose, hold nozzles and direct water stream, raise and climb ladders, use extinguishers and other equipment; provide rescue in various forms; provide emergency medical care to patients including ambulance transportation; ventilate buildings to release heat, smoke and gases, place salvage covers, and action to prevent water damage; perform varied maintenance tasks on apparatus, equipment and facilities; mentor newer members 

How Can I request a Station Tour or Public Education Event?

Go to our request page: Fire Station or Event Form

Follow these guidelines with your request

We can accommodate a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 20 people in a group tour. All ages are welcome.

Only one tour per station per day.

A two-week advance notice is required and no more than 3 months in advance of the event.

We do not schedule during the hours of 7-8 a.m., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 5-7 p.m.

Safety talks are given to schools, scouts, block watch groups, church groups, day care centers, retirement centers, and other organized community/neighborhood groups

Safety talk topics life and water safety   

We are unable to send crews to private birthday parties, business grand-openings, and business marketing events.

Fire crews will also participate in organized block parties, community parades, health and safety fairs, and other non-profit community events.

Fire crews are in-service (responding to calls) during these events and may be required to leave for a call or may not arrive as scheduled (without notice). Please keep this in mind when scheduling.

Send us your questions!!! MFMDfireed@mesaaz.gov

Become a Connector Volunteer!

Established in 1998, the Mesa Fire and Medical Department Connector Program is a volunteer force of secondary responders that support the functions of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. By helping take care of the many needs of the community, we allow our first responders to focus on saving lives and property. We strive to go above and beyond for our community and always serve with C.A.R.E (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence). 

For additional information and to apply, go to our website: MFMD Connector