Department History

The City of Maricopa Fire Department was first formed as a volunteer fire district by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors in 1976 at the request of the residents living in a 46 square mile area around the community of Maricopa. The exact date of incorporation of the original Fire District is unknown.

The District was governed by a 3-person Board of Directors elected by the citizens for four-year terms. The Fire District's legal authority and responsibilities were pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.09.

The first mobile piece of fire equipment was a 1948 F-4 fire engine. It is still owned by the fire department. Dwayne Hamilton was appointed to be the first Fire Chief.

The Maricopa Volunteer Fire District operated out of the NAPA Auto Parts store located at 19563 N. John Wayne Parkway until a permanent site was purchased in 1980 and a permanent station was constructed at 44624 W. Garvey Avenue. When construction for the State Route 347 overpass began, a temporary administration building was put up on Edison Rd. In the spring of 2020, the new Administration building opened behind Fire Station 575.

Due to the slow growth of the era the single station remained the only station until the housing boom began in 2001. Now the department has four stations, three engines and one ladder company to serve the community. 

In response to the rapid growth, the Maricopa Volunteer Fire District began to operate as a career full time department on March 5th 2005, also requiring by law the addition of two more board members. 

The City of Maricopa, a general-purpose governmental entity, incorporated on October 15th 2003. The City of Maricopa began to pursue the fire district as a revenue source. After a ballot initiative in 2006 passed a public safety property tax, the city was able to absorb the fire district. The district was absorbed by the City of Maricopa and officially began to operate under the city umbrella on July 1st, 2007.

Leadership