Arizona officials break ground on new wildfire dispatch center
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Wildfires are a nearly year-round challenge for Arizona officials, and a new dispatch center aims to ease that burden in times of crisis.
Gov. Katie Hobbs joined other state officials on Friday to break ground for the new dispatch center that will monitor wildfires statewide.
The Department of Forest and Fire Management’s new Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center (ADC) will be located at 29th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road in the Deer Valley area.
“There is a lot that goes into keeping Arizonans safe from wildfires, and one of the most important things is communication,” Gov. Hobbs said. “The dispatch center serves as the central communication during emergencies.”
Gov. Hobbs said the ADC will work to dispatch appropriate personnel and resources, including mobilizing aircraft and gathering intelligence on wildfire incidents. She added that the new ADC will better ensure that Arizonans are kept safe during wildfires.
“Investing in our public safety infrastructure is necessary to keep Arizonans in every community safe, and I’m so proud that we’re able to do this,” Gov. Hobbs said.
Michael Hale, center manager for the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said the work that this dispatch center does is critically important. He said the office supported over 2,300 incidents last year, working into the night to keep firefighters were safe.
“This new facility is going to ensure that we have the support needed to take care of our firefighters and also each other,” Hale said.
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