Get to Know us!!

Fire Maintenance Administrator Jason "Jackson" Nickelson

Jackson started with Mesa Fire and Medical Maintenance Division in 2001 as a Service Worker and have held every position the division has ever had. I was promoted to Mechanic 1, Mechanic 2, Lead Mechanic, Shop Supervisor and to my current role as the Fire Maintenance Administrator.

Currently as the Administrator, he manages 12 people: six Mechanic 2’s, one Mechanic 1, a Program Assistant, a Parts and Supply Specialist, a Shop Foreman, a Lead Mechanic, and a Service Worker. Collectively, the division is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of over 200 pieces of equipment from fire trucks to staff vehicles and trailers.

He is also responsible for building (specification writing) and buying all of these pieces of equipment. He and his team design each and every fire truck all the way down to the specifics such as where each cabinet is located on a truck to meet the needs and safety of our fire crews on an emergency scene.

He loves working for the City of Mesa as they have provided him and his family a great job with great benefits. "The City of Mesa has done nothing short of taking care of me and my family and I’m forever grateful."

I grew up in a small town of 900 people in Ohio but made it to Arizona to graduate from Gilbert High School. I have an associate degree in automotive from Universal Technical Institute and a Business Degree from Rio Salado. I am certified as an Emergency Vehicle TechnicianF1-F7, and am ASE certified and AEMP certified.

My favorite hobby is my family consisting of my wife, Misty, our three sons, and 4 grandsons! With their help, I have survived two cancers, testicular and bladder. I root for all teams from Cleveland and am a HUGE Cleveland Browns fan. Along with that, yellow is not allowed in my house as I am an avid hater of anything Michigan or Pittsburg. Funny, but true! I love to help people, at home, work, or wherever I am able. My favorite movies have Sylvester Stallone or Keanu Reeves, I look cop and cop related TV shows, and I prefer reading books on the military especially about WW2.  

Get to know our MFMD Social Services group!

The MFMD Social Services division is comprised of three programs – the Social Services program, the Connector volunteer program, and the Home Safety Education program.

Social Services

The MFMD Social Services program follows up with residents who have recently experienced a 911 call. Many of these referrals are for residents who may need additional service referrals in health and/or safety assistance in their homes. During the conversation, the team use a motivational interviewing styled approach – this means during the conversation, the team is eliciting from the resident their own unique ideas on how to improve their health and avoid future non-emergency 911 calls. Using motivational interviewing is a helpful tool that shows the client that their decisions are RESPECTED, and they are EMPOWERED to make their own lifestyle changes.

The group are also community resource experts – they are frequently searching local resources and networking with local agencies for ideas and best options for Mesa residents! Since the primary population being served is older adults, the Social Services team frequently collaborates with the local senior center and agencies that support people with disabilities to meet the needs of residents. To highlight a couple of the amazing groups we work with- Aster Aging, the senior center in Mesa, helps individuals obtain long-term care application assistance, respite care for caregivers, Meals on Wheels, a loan locker of durable medical equipment, and so much more. Rebuilding Together is a local non-profit that focuses on making fall prevention equipment obtainable for anyone in need.  They can provide items like shower chairs, grab bars, and wheelchair ramps.

College interns are critical for our program! For safety, our teams always work in teams of 2. Ideally, our staff have an intern year-round to partner with. During an internship with the Social Services program, students will gain confidence interacting with clients and develop their own style of conversation with Mesa residents. They learn about local resources, referral processes, and the mission of our program to positively impact the community.  The Social Services team primarily works with NAU and ASU School of Social Work students.

Connectors

The Connector program engages volunteers in ways that serve Mesa residents, as well as the department.   The program has been around for over 20 years and draws on decades of information and training to create a program that is truly a unique volunteer experience.  Quality service to the customer, meaning anyone the Connector encounters, is of the utmost importance.  Dedication, increased knowledge of community services and the fire department are the beneficial byproducts of being a part of this program.

Connectors are engaged in a wide variety of tasks, such as being dispatched to calls to assist crews on scene with non-emergent, yet crucial roles. This can include working with the family on a working fire, assistance with motorists to change tires, jump batteries, and more.  Connectors also complete SCBA bottle transfers, install smoke alarms, and deliver After the Fire resource materials to those who have experienced a fire. Connectors assist our Fire Prevention division by completing business verifications.  They continue to have a presence at many City and Department related events such as the Retiree Pancake Breakfasts, the Line of Duty Death Memorial, the Annual Family Picnic, safety walks for smoke alarm and grab bar installations, and many others. Currently, our experienced and Lead Connectors help create and develop more streamlined and accessible training programs. 

The Connector program runs seven days a week, for 15 hours each day.  We have volunteers from all stages of life including retirees, individuals who are bilingual, those in EMT or fire science school who want careers in the fire service. The program also boasts that many who are currently employed with Mesa Fire and Medical were Connectors themselves at one time.  The program can truly be a pathway to employment in many areas of the fire department, a way to gain great skills and make connections, as well as provide safety and education to Mesa residents.

HSE - Home Safety Education Program

Fall-related injuries are one of the most common causes for emergency room visits and hospital admissions. After a fall, many older adults become so fearful of falling again that they limit their daily activities, which leads to reduced physical activity and mobility, factors that ultimately increase ones’ fall risk. 

The Home Safety Education volunteers work each week to visit resident’s homes who have had a history of falling. They provide education about home safety and personal activities that can help alleviate the risk of a fall. They check all the smoke alarms and if needed, install grab bars, typically in the bathroom. 

Residents who could potentially benefit from the program are contacted via referrals from fire department crew members, individual calls to the program coordinator, or by proactively reviewing recent emergency calls regarding a fall and contacting the resident directly.

The program collaborates with local businesses, non-profits, faith-based groups, and community associations to provide assistance and volunteers to help promote safety.

How long should your child stay rear facing in a car seat?

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death among children, making it vital for parents to take every precaution possible when it comes to their child’s safety in a vehicle. One of the most effective ways parents can protect their children is by keeping them rear facing in a car seat for as long as possible.

Rear-facing car seats are designed to cradle a child’s head, neck, and spine, and distribute the force of a collision more evenly across their entire body. This reduces the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should remain rear facing in their car seats until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat.

However, many parents mistakenly believe that their child will be more comfortable or able to see more when seated forward-facing. But the discomfort or inconvenience of being rear facing is minimal compared to the potential consequences of an accident. In fact, the AAP recommends that parents continue to use rear facing car seats as long as possible until their child outgrows the car seat, even if it means their legs are touching the backseat of the vehicle. Parents believe they could have more injuries to their legs when really, we see more injuries to the legs when children are in the forward-facing position.

It is important to remember that a child’s spinal cord is still developing until they reach around four years old, making them particularly vulnerable to spinal cord injuries in the event of a crash. Rear facing car seats offer the best protection against these types of injuries, and the longer a child can remain in a rear facing car seat, the safer they will be.

In conclusion, parents should keep their children rear facing in a car seat for as long as possible to ensure their children’s safety in the event of a crash. The minor inconvenience of being rear facing is far outweighed by the potential benefits of reducing the risk of serious injury or death. By following the recommendations of the AAP and car seat manufacturers, parents can keep their children safer on the road. If you ever are worried about the installation of your car seat, sign up to come to our monthly car seat inspections. There you will become educated on the correct way to install your car seat by one of our nationally certified car seat technicians.

We have a car seat clinic on the second Tuesday every month! Schedule MFMD Car Seat Clinic Registration, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

East Valley Black Fire Fighter Association works to bring unification to department and community. 

The East Valley United Black Firefighters is a non-exclusive, nonprofit organization that strives to assist individuals interested in the fire service, by preparing them for the rigorous testing process and long recruit academy. While we are non-exclusive, due to the low number of black individuals in the East Valley fire departments, we work diligently to draw in, mentor, educate and assist African-Americans on a high level to bring more diversity to the East Valley fire service, as to better reflect the community in which we serve. Diversity is huge because having individuals working in the fire service and assisting at events that look like the community we serve, representing their culture and background, brings unification of the fire department and the community. 

Along with assisting new members trying to get hired, we also provide guidance, knowledge and assistance to the sworn membership in their promotional exams, leadership skills and any other paths they choose to advance their careers. We provide promotion education courses, mentoring and study materials for any sworn member needing assistance. This not only helps our group grow but helps the fire department to remain progressive.

Lastly, we are highly involved in the community with over 600 hours of volunteer service with various non-profit organizations, leadership groups, recruitment events and so much more. We are constantly striving to help all those in need through our time, money and resources which in turn builds strong and lasting relations with all those around us. 

Department Community Recognitions

January 19, 2023 

Resident Recognition at Venture Out Resort: Security Guards Chris Taylor & Chris Snyder

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upVbRFwrlvs

Shortly after 1 AM on the morning of December 1st security guards Chris Snyder and Chris Taylor were working their security shift at Venture Out Resort. Security Guard Chris Taylor was out on patrol and noticed several streets filling with smoke. He investigated further and found an air conditioning unit on fire and the fire spreading to the roof of the house. Mr. Taylor immediately radioed the security guardhouse to call 9-1-1 and dispatch emergency crews to the location. Mr. Taylor then pounded on the doors until the two residents emerged from the engulfed home and were guided to safety. Mr. Taylor retrieved a fire extinguisher from his vehicle to contain the blaze until Mesa Fire units arrived on-scene. Meanwhile, Security Guard Chris Snyder responded to assist Mr. Taylor and upon arriving on-scene also deployed a fire extinguisher to prevent the fire from spreading. Mr. Taylor immediately went to the neighboring residence as smoke and flames began spreading to that structure. Mr. Taylor alerted those residents and escorted them to safety. Both security guards also went to the rear of the involved residence and alerted those residents to the fire and ensured they were relocated to a safe location. Mr. Snyder noticed a propane grill, another potential hazard, located on the back of the involved residence and removed the grill from the involved fire area and moved it to a safe location.

1/25/2023 

Resident Recognition at MFMD General Staff Meeting

Cimarron Apartment Fire: Citizen Steven McNease

On December 2nd, 2022, a three-story residential building at 151 E 1st St, Cimarron Apartments, became fully engulfed in smoke and flames putting residents in serious risk. 15 emergency response units and over 60 firefighters from Mesa, Tempe and Gilbert responded to the incident which eventually took several hours to completely contain and secure. That afternoon, Steven McNeese was “going about his normal day” and had just returned from the laundry room when he heard frantic calls from the courtyard.  Stepping out his front door overlooking the courtyard, he could see several residents pointing to the adjacent apartments and calling for help; the second-floor front patio was engulfed in flames and the flames were quickly spreading to the third floor.  Mr. McNease knew his neighbors were in jeopardy and made a split-second decision to set aside his own safety and rescue those in harm’s way.  He hurried down from the third floor, ran to the adjacent stairwell and went quickly up to the second-floor landing which was already engulfed in smoke and flames.  Mr. McNease used brute force to enter the residence and found a young boy close to the front door.  The young boy’s mother was also inside the residence, unaware of the imminent danger.  As smoke quickly filled the apartment and flames spread to the 3rd floor, Mr. McNease rushed the mother and her young son out of the apartment, down the stairs and to the safety of the courtyard.  Within moments, the patio and entryway where Mr. McNease guided the two residents to safety was completely involved in flames and unpassable.

Kudos to E203 on this incident; responding from their first due area, they arrived on-scene and parked their apparatus on 1st St.  They quickly spotted a resident who had been unable to escape through her front door and had exited her apartment onto the back 2nd story balcony. She was trapped! Engine 203 immediately deployed their ground ladder to the 2nd floor balcony and brought the resident down to safety.  Once safe, she advised E203 crew that her two dogs were still in the apartment, and she feared for their safety.  Firefighters from E203 began suppression operations and went back up to the 2nd floor balcony and rescued the two pet chihuahuas.

Benefit Concert at Mesa Arts Center for 100 Club!

The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix is presenting a benefit concert with ALL proceeds going to the 100 Club of Arizona on Sunday, March 26 at 3pm at the Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater. The 100 Club provides financial assistance to families of first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. 72SOLD is sponsoring the benefit concert. Tickets can be purchased at the Mesa Arts Center Box Office or at https://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/shows/other-presenters/orpheus-male-chorus-concert-to-benefit-the-100-club-of-arizona. You can also buy tickets at www.100club.org or www.orpheus.org.