Queen Creek plans new fire stations to improve emergency response times

The Queen Creek Town Council convened on April 17, 2025, to discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget, focusing on key developments within the fire department and capital improvement projects (CIP). The meeting highlighted the need for additional resources to address growing demands in fire and emergency services.

The fire department's budget is set to increase by approximately $5 million, primarily due to the need for upgraded portable radios and equipment for the new Public Safety Support Building. A significant point of discussion was the request for a 40-hour fire engineer position, which is not included in the current budget but will be proposed in a midyear budget request.

The council reviewed the CIP, emphasizing the construction of Fire Stations 6 and 7 over the next five years. The need for these stations arises from increased call volumes, particularly in the Ellsworth and Riggs area, which has seen a 3-4% annual increase in emergency calls. The goal is to ensure a response time of four minutes or less, which is becoming challenging due to the distance from existing stations.

The presentation included a visual exhibit showing the planned locations for the new fire stations, with a focus on improving response times in busy areas. The council noted that the design phase for Fire Station 6 is scheduled for fiscal year 2027, with construction anticipated to begin shortly thereafter.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the Queen Creek County Island Fire District, which generates approximately $2.6 million annually for the town by providing services to unincorporated areas. The fire department aims to achieve a Class 1 rating, which requires ongoing improvements in facilities and personnel.

The final agenda item focused on staffing needs, particularly the request for additional fire inspectors to manage the increasing workload from new construction and inspections, which have surged by 34% from 2024 to 2023. The council acknowledged the challenges posed by large projects that require dedicated inspector resources, limiting their ability to conduct other inspections.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the town's commitment to enhancing fire and emergency services through strategic budget allocations and infrastructure development, addressing both current needs and future growth. The council plans to revisit the budget request for the fire engineer position and continue discussions on staffing and resource allocation in upcoming meetings.