Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department gains state-level representation as Chief Jake Rhoades assumes the role of president of the Arizona Fire Chief's Association. Rhoades has been involved as a leader with the association for six years, serving as chair of the Statewide Mutual Aid Committee, treasurer and vice president before stepping into his new role at the helm in an uncontested race.
"He is a very good communicator and very much believes in our mission to serve and teach and promote and train," said Executive Director Jim Ford. "That's what you need when you're in a leadership position: Someone who's not doing it because they have to."
Statewide connections
In recent years, Ford said the association has emphasized attracting membership from rural fire departments outside the Valley. As vice president, Rhoades was part of those efforts to welcome more districts into AFCS.
"Take the opportunity to get engaged," Ford said is the message to these rural districts. "We are such a big state. If you are in the position that you can stay engaged with fire chiefs and fire district associations, we are the one that can help move that profession forward here in Arizona."
As president for the next two years, Rhoades agreed one of his goals is to increase involvement with rural fire districts throughout the state. Arizona fire departments are vastly different, ranging from a metropolis like Phoenix to small districts with only a couple of trucks in operation. Yet, while their needs may look different, they are similar at the core.
"For me, it's being involved in the state and representing not just the Phoenix metro, but rural Arizona because we're all facing the same challenges when it comes to budgeting, recruitment, retention, firefighter safety, health and wellness," Rhoades said. "So how can we do a better job as an association to address issues and come up with solutions?"
Different needs
At the same time, Rhoades said he will have to balance the differing environments in which fire departments operate throughout a diverse state like Arizona. Up north, many districts deal with repeated wildfires. Down south, other districts respond to calls for patients in medical crisis at the border. To address this wide range of needs, Rhoades said he will rely on a leadership style emphasizing collaboration and communication. He also plans to help connect talent to opportunities to make departments stronger.
"We have a lot of talent in this state," he said. "How do we do better inviting them into some of the projects, the solutions?"
Rhoades' role as president is volunteer-based and will not impact his position as chief of the Buckeye department, he said. It could, however, bring more opportunities for BFMRD personnel to get involved with statewide projects, initiatives and research. Rhoades said his leadership involvement with the organization over the years has give many of his firefighters the opportunity to be part of new research that's improving their field. Currently BFMRD is involved with three research studies: a sleep study with University of Arizona; a recruitment and retention study with UofA, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, and a cancer study with UofA and ASU.
Being president "allows us to be more involved in more research projects," Rhoades said. "I can bring my department in on those levels to group zero to help with those things ... Our department sees a tremendous benefit with the opportunities."
