↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier →

ARIZONA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860523833 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Small ($100K-$1M) · azfirechiefs.org
revenue
$521K
expenses
$494K
net assets
$216K
employees
0
volunteers
21
program ratio
96%
mission · from form 990

THE MISSION OF THE ARIZONA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION IS TO SERVE AND SUPPORT ARIZONAS FIRE SERVICE LEADERS OF TODAY AND TO HELP DEVELOP ITS LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Arizona Fire Chiefs Association is a nonprofit organization that serves, develops, and leads fire chief officers and administrators in Arizona, other states, and Mexico. It provides a platform for professional development, ethical conduct, and collaboration within the fire service community. The association also advocates for legislative issues affecting the fire service.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

Leadership Conference
An annual event where the annual business meeting and elections are usually conducted.
Regional Meetings
Meetings arranged by the Board or Regional Directors to allow discussion and possible solutions of mutual problems among members.
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • Emergency Services Professional Conferences & Training Events 8 activities
    • Conduct specialized fire service conferences and events
      Organizes and hosts a range of specialized events including the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference, International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference, AFSAP Seminar, Central Arizona Honor Guard Training Camp, and the Wildfire Conservancy Annual Research Symposium.
    • Host annual Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo
      Organizes and hosts the annual AFCA/AFDA Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo, a major event featuring general sessions, workshops, specialized tracks (e.g., fire marshals, administrative professionals), and networking opportunities for fire and emergency services leaders.
    • Host annual Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo
      Organizes and hosts the annual AFCA/AFDA Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo, a major event featuring general sessions, workshops, specialized tracks, and networking opportunities for fire and emergency services professionals.
    • Host specialized fire and emergency services conferences and events
      Organizes and hosts a range of specialized events including the Wildfire Conservancy Annual Research Symposium, Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference, International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference, AFSAP Seminar, and Central Arizona Honor Guard Training Camp.
    • Organize conferences and expos for fire and EMS leadership
      Organizes and hosts an annual Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo, which includes general sessions, workshops, and specialized tracks. The organization also organizes other conferences such as the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference and the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference.
    • Organize conferences and expos for fire and EMS leadership
      Organizes and hosts an annual Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo, which includes general sessions, workshops, and specialized tracks, as well as other conferences such as the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference and the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference.
    • Organize specialized events and training camps
      Organizes and hosts specialized events such as The Wildfire Conservancy Annual Research Symposium, the Central Arizona Honor Guard Training Camp, and the AFSAP Seminar.
    • Organize specialized events for fire service personnel
      Organizes and hosts specialized events such as The Wildfire Conservancy Annual Research Symposium, the Central Arizona Honor Guard Training Camp, and the AFSAP Seminar.
  • Fire and Emergency Services Certification 6 activities
    • Partner on fire service education and leadership development
      Collaborates with Arizona State University to deliver a nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® Program tailored for fire service professionals in Arizona.
    • Provide fire service training programs
      Offers and hosts technical training courses for fire service professionals, including Fire Investigation: First Responders-F0770, Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting (F0610), Rope Rescue Skills - Technician Level, and Fire Engineer Academy, with multiple sessions conducted annually across Arizona.
    • Provide fire service training programs
      Offers and hosts technical training courses for fire service personnel, including Fire Investigation: First Responders-F0770, Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting (F0610), Rope Rescue Skills - Technician Level, and Fire Engineer Academy, with multiple sessions conducted annually across Arizona.
    • Provide professional development and training for fire and EMS personnel
      Offers and hosts a variety of training courses and academies for fire and EMS professionals, including Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting, Rope Rescue Skills (Technician Level), Fire Engineer Academy, and Fire Investigation for First Responders. This includes partnering with Arizona State University for a Certified Public Manager® Program.
    • Provide professional development and training for fire and EMS personnel
      Offers and hosts a variety of training courses and academies for fire and EMS professionals, including Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting, Rope Rescue Skills (Technician Level), Fire Engineer Academy, and Fire Investigation for First Responders. This includes partnering with Arizona State University for a Certified Public Manager® Program.
    • Support fire service education through academic partnerships
      Partners with Arizona State University to deliver a nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® Program tailored for fire service professionals in Arizona, enhancing leadership and management capabilities across the sector.
  • Wildfire Recovery & Resilience Planning 4 activities
    • Conduct wildland fire management research and publish guidance
      Engages in research and dissemination of best practices in wildland fire management, including publishing guidance documents such as the "Wildland Fire Management Direction & Transition Guidance - USWFS" on April 14, 2026.
    • Disseminate wildland fire management guidance and research
      Publishes and shares news, guidance, and research on wildland fire management, including the "Wildland Fire Management Direction & Transition Guidance - USWFS" released in April 2026.
    • Publish news and guidance on wildland fire management
      Provides and publishes news and guidance related to wildland fire management, including information from the USWFS.
    • Publish news and guidance on wildland fire management
      Provides and publishes news and guidance related to wildland fire management, including information from the USWFS.
  • Public Safety Coordination Councils 4 activities
    • Manage councils and committees for fire and emergency services
      Operates the Central Arizona Life Safety System Response Council (CALSSRC) and manages six council committees and several subcommittees focused on various aspects of fire and emergency services, including operations, fire prevention, EMS, and training.
    • Manage councils and committees for fire and emergency services
      Operates the Central Arizona Life Safety System Response Council (CALSSRC) and manages six council committees and several subcommittees focused on various aspects of fire and emergency services, including operations, prevention, EMS, and training.
    • Manage fire service governance and coordination councils
      Operates the Central Arizona Life Safety System Response Council (CALSSRC), composed of fire chiefs from Valley departments and districts, and manages six council committees and subcommittees focused on operations, fire prevention, EMS, communications, training, safety, and other critical areas of emergency services.
    • Support fire service leadership and coordination through council committees
      Manages six council committees and multiple subcommittees focused on key areas of fire and emergency services, including operations, fire prevention, EMS, communications, training, safety, and special teams, to promote coordination and best practices across Arizona.
  • Member-Focused Job Board & Career Matching 3 activities
    • Facilitate career development and job placement
      Operates a career center that allows member departments to post fire and EMS job openings for free and offers paid job posting services for non-members, supporting workforce development in the fire service.
    • Host a career center for job postings
      Operates a career center where members can post job openings for free and non-members can purchase job postings within the fire and emergency services sector.
    • Host a career center for job postings
      Operates a career center where members can post job openings for free and non-members can purchase job postings.
  • State-Level Fire Service Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocate for fire service interests through legislative liaison
      Maintains a Legislative Liaison role to represent and advocate for the interests of Arizona fire chiefs at the state level.
  • Community Safety Education Programs 1 activity
    • Support public and member event engagement
      Hosts a community calendar of events, some of which include online registration and ticketing, to promote participation in fire service-related activities and training.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Administer recognition and awards programs
      Annually presents the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award to individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the Arizona fire service.
    • Operate career center and community event calendar
      Runs a career center for job postings in fire and emergency services (free for members, fee-based for non-members) and maintains a public community calendar of events, some of which include online registration and ticketing.
    • Present lifetime achievement award to fire service leaders
      Annually awards the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award to individuals who have made long-term, impactful contributions to the Arizona fire service.
    • Present the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award
      Annually presents the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award to individuals who have dedicated their lives to the Arizona fire service.
    • Present the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award
      Annually presents the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award to individuals who have dedicated their lives to the Arizona fire service.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$521K
Contributions & grants$59K11%
Program service revenue$465K89%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-3K
expenses
Total expenses$494K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$5K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$216K
Cash$151K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$216K
Liquid reserves3.7 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +61.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

board members · 21
  • A J HOWELL — DIRECTOR
  • BRIAN JONES — DIRECTOR
  • BRIAN TOBIN — DIRECTOR
  • CARLOS FLORES — DIRECTOR
  • CHUCK RYAN — DIRECTOR
  • CLAY WOOD — DIRECTOR
  • DUSTIN FIELDS — DIRECTOR
  • ED TEMEROWSKI — DIRECTOR
  • JACK YEAGER — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN KENT RHOADES — VP SINCE 7/14/22 SECR/TREAS UNTIL 7/14/22
  • JOHN WHITNEY — SECR/TREASURER SINCE 7/14/22
  • JOHN WISNER — DIRECTOR
  • KELLY WEDDLE — DIRECTOR
  • LARRY ROONEY — WFCA DIRECTOR
  • MARK GAILLARD — DIRECTOR
  • MARY CAMELI — DIRECTOR
  • PAT ABEL — DIRECTOR
  • PAUL ADAMS — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  • SCOTT FREITAG — PAST PRES SINCE 7/14/22 PRES UNTIL 7/14/22
  • SCOTT WALKER — DIRECTOR SINCE 2/1/22
  • TOM SHANNON — PRES SINCE 7/14/22 VICE PRES UNTIL 7/14/2
relationships · 51

who they work with

  • AFDA Partner — Co-hosts the Annual Fire & EMS Leadership Conference and Expo.
  • AFDA Partner — Co-hosts the Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo and includes AFDA statutory presentations at the conference.
  • Arizona Fire District Association Partner — Co-hosts the Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo.
  • Arizona State University’s Bob Ramsey Executive Education Partner — Partners to provide a nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® Program in Arizona.
  • Bob Weber Partner — Namesake of the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award; former President and Executive Director of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association.
  • Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department Partner — Jake Rhoades, the President of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association, is the Fire Chief of this department.
  • CORE Construction Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Cave Creek Fire and Medical Department Partner — Jim Ford, the Executive Director of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association, is the Fire Chief of this department.
  • Center for Local Government Education and Innovation Partner — Partners to provide a nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® Program in Arizona.
  • Central Arizona Life Safety System Response Council (CALSSRC) Partner — Comprised of Chiefs from Valley Fire Departments and Fire Districts who participate in the CALSSRC Automatic Aid System.
  • Chasse Building Team Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • Chasse Building Team Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • FCI Constructors, Inc. Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • Fire Chiefs of Iowa Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Fire Department Partner — Eddie Smith, the Legislative Liaison for the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association, is the Fire Chief of this department.
  • Greer Fire District Partner — Hosts the "Rope Rescue Skills - Technician Level" event.
  • Kitchell Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • Kitchell Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • NFPA Partner — Co-hosts the NFPA Conference & Expo.
  • National CPM Consortium Partner — The Certified Public Manager® Program offered through ASU is accredited by this consortium.
  • National Fire Research Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Nationwide Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Nationwide Retirement Solutions Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • Paradigm Traffic Systems Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Perlman Architects of Arizona Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Perlman Architects of Arizona, Inc Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • Pro-Sales Partner — Listed as an AFCA Partner.
  • Professional Sales and Service Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • RT-Emergency Partner — Corporate partner of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association
  • Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel and Spa Partner — Host hotel for the 2026 Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo.
+ 21 more