The Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) isn’t just fighting fires — it’s fighting time. As wildfire seasons grow longer, traffic increases, and firefighter health risks mount, CAFMA has secured a suite of significant state and federal grants designed to strengthen the proactive side of public safety: prevention, planning and resilience.

Together, the awards create a broad safety net for central Yavapai County. They include a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for cancer screenings, a USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant to map and mitigate wildfire risk, an Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety award to sustain child passenger safety education, and a Forestry and Fire Management ARPA grant to expand rural firefighting capacity.

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“Each of these grants targets a different layer of protection, our people, our landscape, and our families,” said Alan Schuster, battalion chief and wildland program coordinator at CAFMA. 

“Together, they let us move faster, plan smarter, and serve more effectively across urban, suburban, and rural communities.”

The largest award, a $1.8 million FEMA grant, funds comprehensive cancer screenings at no cost to firefighters over the next two years. Hosted by CAFMA, the multi-agency partnership spans nine Arizona fire districts, from Sedona to Sun City, each contributing to a shared 10 percent match. 

CAFMA’s portion, roughly $40,000, supports early detection and recovery, keeping more seasoned firefighters on the frontline and communities safer.

CAFMA also received nearly $250,000 from the U.S. Forest Service to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan — one that will map high-risk corridors, guide fuel-reduction projects, and weave wildfire awareness into community life. The three-year project marks a shift from reaction to readiness.

Another $6,700 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety will continue CAFMA’s child passenger safety program, funding hands-on car-seat inspections, technician training, and a limited supply of car seats for families who need them most. Lastly, a $36,000 ARPA award from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) will help fund the addition of a Type 1 Tactical Water Tender to CAFMA’s rural fleet, boosting water delivery for wildland and mutual-aid operations across Prescott Valley and surrounding areas.

CAFMA leaders say these efforts reflect a quiet truth of modern firefighting: emergency response is just one aspect of the job. Prevention, planning and workforce wellness are equally vital to protecting the region’s 369 square miles of diverse terrain and rapidly growing neighborhoods.

The grants will advance four pillars of community protection:

  • Firefighter Health and Wellness: The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant will bring advanced, no-cost cancer screenings to hundreds of firefighters across Arizona. The initiative reinforces a national movement recognizing occupational health as a cornerstone of public safety. Early detection not only saves lives but preserves the experience and strength of the state’s emergency workforce.
  • Wildfire Resilience and Planning: Backed by the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant, CAFMA will develop a forward-looking Community Wildfire Protection Plan that identifies high-risk zones, assesses vulnerable infrastructure, and helps residents fortify their homes against wildfire threats. The plan will serve as both a map and a mission, building a shared framework for how communities can live more safely in the face of the growing wildfire threat.
  • Child Passenger Safety and Family Outreach: With continued support from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, CAFMA’s team of certified technicians will host public car seat safety inspections and educational workshops to ensure local children travel safely. It’s a small program with a big reach, equipping parents and caregivers with practical knowledge and peace of mind.
  • Rural Firefighting Strength and Water Delivery: With ARPA funding from DFFM, CAFMA will acquire a new Type 1 Tactical Water Tender capable of reaching remote terrain and delivering critical water where hydrants are scarce. The vehicle will enhance local response and regional readiness, enabling deployment to state and national wildfire incidents.

“These awards let us invest where it matters most: prevention and preparedness,” said Darrell Tirpak, CAFMA fire marshal. “A healthier workforce, a smarter wildfire strategy, safer kids on our roads, and better water supply in hard-to-reach areas — those are wins our entire community can feel. We’re grateful to our partners whose support makes this possible.”

Information: cazfire.gov