Countyline Fire Department

My name is John, I am the Fire Chief for a new start-up all volunteer fire department which covers parts of 2 counties in rural Arizona, which is seeking funding for the following:

1.  Radio communications equipment in order to be able to be dispatched by 911.
2.  A replacement motor for a donated pumper truck.
3.  New tires for the donated pumper truck.
4.  Construct a carport to keep our fire trucks out of the sun.
5.  Purchase additional equipment for our fire engines.

The Countyline Fire Department is an all volunteer organization which provides fire and emergency medical services to 250 people living in 500 square miles of unincorporated Yuma and Maricopa counties, in Arizona.  About 40% of our population is over 60 years of age, 30% are middle aged and 30% are children.

Our response area is about 25 miles long by 20 miles wide.  On the south side, we cover 20 miles of Interstate 8, and the Union Pacific Rail line.  We also protect the unincorporated community of Sentinel, which has an elementary school, a mom and pop convienence store and about a dozen houses.

15 miles to the North of this area is the Hyder Valley and the unincorporated communities of Agua Caliente and Hyder.  This area is primarily agriculture and is dotted with farms and individual houses.

There is raw desert in between these to areas, which requires we palce a fire engine at both locations.  Currently, we provide coverage to the whole area with one fire engine located on the North side.  If we could fix the second fire engine, we could provide better coverage to the Sentinel area.  We already have volunteers who live in that area.

The department was started out of necessity - the closest fire department and ambulance services are 40 and 55 minutes depending on which county you live in.

There is no tax base or any funding available for the department other than donations. We receive about $4,000.00 per year in donations. This money goes towards our insurance. Our fuel is donated.

Currently, Countyline FD has the following significant challenges:

Both of our fire engines have to sit outside year round in the sun.  This causes damage to our hoses and vehicle tires.

We have a volunteer paramedic on staff.  Additionally, all members are CPR and First Aid trained.  Without medical liability insurance, we are unable to respond to medical emergencies and provide patient care.   The local ambulances are 40 to 55 minutes away.

Raising these funds will result in the Countyline Fire Department being able to provide more reliable services to the 3 communities that we serve.

As the Fire Chief, myself, my volunteers and our citizens would be extremly grateful for the funds raised.

Thank you again for your assistance with our Gofundme campaign.

Chief Novak