PHX Reporter

The Phoenix City Council recently voted unanimously to allot $7.8 million annually for the development of 58 new positions in the Phoenix Fire Department beginning in fiscal year 2023-2024.

The new positions will be assigned to Phoenix Fire's Aviation and Rescue unit, as well as city Fire Station No. 62; a recent release from the City said.

“The Phoenix Fire Department is very grateful to the city leadership for supporting this critical need," Fire Chief Mike Duran said in the release. “This will place more resources in the system that will improve response times so that we can help our residents as quickly as possible."

The new positions will help the City address several needs, including fire suppression, emergency medical and transportation services, all-hazards incident management, and community risk reduction; the release said.

“It is important to hire the staff prior to the completion of Fire Station 62 so that we can hit the ground running," Duran said. “In the interim, we can benefit from the added personnel."

City Councilwoman Ann O'Brien noted that the additions are needed.

"As the city grows, we need to ensure our public safety services are adequately growing," she said in the release.

Mayor Kate Gallego agreed, calling the measure an "important vote" that the City needed to undertake.