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Cave Creek reviews fire/EMS quarterly metrics, schedules brush-disposal events and readies water resources for fire season
Summary
Fire and town staff briefed council on quarterly EMS/fire data, rescue operations in Spur Cross, two free brush-disposal events (March 21 and April 18), Code Red notifications and the upcoming Phoenix interconnect reservoir to increase firefighting water capacity.
Brian, representing the town's fire/EMS provider, delivered the second-quarter fire and EMS report and described the department’s incident mix, mutual-aid partnerships, training, and community outreach.
The report highlighted that roughly 28–30% of calls are special-operations incidents (largely trail rescues and reported natural-gas-leak responses). Brian explained the role of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office air operations for remote rescues: county personnel make initial contact and perform hoist or airlift operations, deliver patients to the town’s designated landing zone, and then Cave Creek/ambulance crews assume medical care and transport as needed. He said many trail rescues end in non-transport dispositions.
Staff outlined wildfire-preparedness actions and community steps for residents: two free brush-and-weed disposal events at the water ranch (March 21 and April 18, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.), continued public messaging about defensible space and safe ‘‘hot work,’’ promotion of Firewise certification among homeowners associations, and Code Red geo-targeted emergency notifications. The town emphasized that these residential disposal events save residents money versus private services and that Daisy Mountain's brush truck adds quick local suppression capability.
Staff also summarized infrastructure steps: station 144 is now online and provides additional fire-response capacity on the west side, and the Phoenix Interconnect reservoir is expected to be completed and filled this summer to increase the town's firefighting water supply; staff said water-quality testing (including evaluation for disinfection byproducts such as PTHMs) will be done before operational use. Council asked about hydrants and water-tender operations; Brian said apparatus carry water when hydrants are not within 1,000 feet and that the department maintains protocols for fill sites and hydrant use.
Daisy Mountain/EMS also reported a patient-satisfaction survey initiative and said the provider recently received an Arizona Department of Health Services 'premier level' recognition for EMS data reporting standards.
Council asked about staffing changes: Town Manager Grady Miller confirmed that a long-standing staff position (Jim Ford) is frozen while the town tests redistributed responsibilities; staff will evaluate whether a director-level replacement is necessary or whether a coordinator/part-time role will suffice.
Staff asked the public to take advantage of the brush-disposal dates and to prepare defensible space around residences. For residents with specific questions about the brush-disposal program or Firewise certification, staff will provide details through the town calendar and communications channels.
