COVID-19 pandemic highlighted ongoing challenges to competitively recruit & modernize older buildings.
TUBAC/RIO RICO, Ariz. — You’ve likely heard or read the phrase, “Two heads are better than one.” It takes the heads of two crew members per shift to answer the call for help in the Tubac Fire District.
Asking fire chiefs in Tubac and Rio Rico, for example, they said they want to invest in hiring and keeping their smaller crews for the long term. While those conversations continue, she said two key pieces will play a part in making sure Tubac Fire can respond to the community's emergency needs: Finding younger recruits and then training them to work as both firefighter and paramedic.
Amezaga said he understands it's hard to compete with larger districts that can pay higher wages. He said Rio Rico Medical & Fire is now also paying individuals to study and earn their EMT certificates.