At a recent Scottsdale City Council Work Study Session, the Scottsdale Fire Department discussed updates on wildfire prevention strategies, the use of fire-retardant products, and the role of volunteers in supporting public safety.
Fire Chief Tom Shannon highlighted Scottsdale’s approach to balancing innovation, professional standards, and volunteerism. The city relies on over 100 volunteers for prevention, education, and support functions. However, as a metro-sized fire department, Scottsdale requires a fully staffed career force for emergency response.
“Our city serves the public at a level that is internationally renowned,” Shannon said. “Volunteers are an invaluable part of our mission, but the realities of fire and EMS response require professional staffing to meet national standards and protect the community.”
Shannon noted the apparent contradiction in emphasizing both the limits of volunteer firefighting and the value volunteers bring. He explained that while volunteers contribute significantly in areas such as prevention, cadet training, community outreach, logistics, and support roles, operational decisions regarding their deployment fall under his responsibilities as Fire Chief.
The session also covered Scottsdale’s history of innovation in public safety. Shannon reminded council members that Scottsdale has led in areas like residential fire sprinklers and special event management. He referenced past challenges with profit-driven models that ended with Rural/Metro’s withdrawal from Scottsdale in 2004. This led to the establishment of a municipal fire department and participation in the Phoenix Regional Dispatch and Deployment “automatic aid” system beginning July 1, 2005—a system now recognized as one of the largest all-hazards emergency response systems outside New York City.
Attention was given to wildfire prevention efforts around Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve—the largest municipal preserve in the country at 30,500 acres. The area presents unique challenges due to its wildland-urban interface. The council reviewed mitigation strategies including ground-applied fire retardants approved by federal authorities. These retardants help reduce vegetation flammability but must be managed carefully to avoid environmental impacts.
Scottsdale reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing innovation within its preserves and natural open spaces—a process built through years of collaboration among residents, planners, developers, conservation groups, and public safety officials.
Chief Shannon concluded by reiterating his responsibility for maintaining high standards for fire and EMS services in Scottsdale. He emphasized that volunteers will remain important for prevention efforts and community engagement while career firefighters ensure compliance with national safety standards.
“We honor our volunteers today and always,” Shannon said. “Their work strengthens our bond with the community, while our career firefighters ensure that Scottsdale meets the highest standards of public safety.”
