PHX Reporter

Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro has appointed State Representative David Marshall to lead the newly established Fire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee. The committee aims to assess Arizona's readiness for catastrophic fires and insurance policy coverage across both rural and urban areas.

Representative Marshall, who chairs the House Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement, represents a district with high-risk wildfire areas in Pinal, Gila, Coconino, and Navajo Counties. He expressed gratitude for Speaker Montenegro’s focus on fire prevention and response efforts.

"I’m honored that Speaker Montenegro has entrusted me to chair this committee because this issue couldn’t be more urgent for Arizona," said Chairman Marshall. "The devastation caused by wildfires is staggering—homes lost, businesses wiped out, communities shattered. We’ve seen the warning signs in our state and the catastrophic disasters unfolding in places like California. It’s our job to make sure we are as prepared as possible to prevent and respond to these fires before they destroy precious lives and priceless property."

The committee will conduct town hall meetings and public comment sessions with local stakeholders, including fire authorities and residents from fire-prone areas. The focus will be on identifying weaknesses in current fire prevention systems, developing strategies to reduce nonrenewal of homeowners insurance policies, evaluating building codes for maximum fire protection without increasing costs, reviewing water supply needs for fire suppression, and assessing forestry practices related to wildland fires.

Chairman Marshall highlighted the importance of supporting firefighters: "Firefighters do some of the toughest, most selfless work out there. They put themselves in harm’s way to save lives, homes, and entire communities. Yet, they’re often underpaid, overworked, and asked to do more with less. This committee will take a hard look at what’s needed to ensure they have the tools and support to do their jobs safely and effectively."

The initiative aligns with the House Republican Majority Plan's emphasis on public safety. "House Republicans have made public safety one of our highest priorities—whether that’s tackling violent crime, securing the border, or preparing for the next wildfire season," said Speaker Montenegro. "The people of Arizona deserve leadership that takes action, not excuses, and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver."

Marshall has introduced legislation aimed at enhancing Arizona's fire response capabilities through HB2219 and HB2456. These bills propose investments in wildland firefighting equipment, fire station upgrades, and a statewide incident management platform.

Representatives John Gillette (R-30), Gail Griffin (R-19), Walter Blackman (R-7), Myron Tsosie (D-6), and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-21) have also been appointed to serve on the committee. Findings and recommendations are expected by December 31, 2025.

Information from this article can be found here.