INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

The Phoenix Fire Department had its busiest year ever in 2022, responding to nearly 20,000 more calls than the previous year.

The Phoenix Fire Data Team reported that firefighters responded to 405,290 calls last year compared with 385,573 responses in 2021.

Located near 7th street and Hatcher, Phoenix Fire Engine 7 finished with the highest annual unit call volume ever recorded in the region – 6,057 calls for service. 

Second busiest was Engine 15, located near 43rd Avenue and Camelback. Engine 15 had a total of 5,183 responses. Engine 18 was third busiest. It is near 23rd avenue and Camelback and responded to 5,102 calls.

“The Phoenix Fire Department is aware of the rapid growth our city is experiencing. Along with that comes a higher demand for our emergency services,” Fire Chief Mike Duran said.

“We are working diligently with city leadership, and our partners in U.P.F.F.A. Local 493 to project the needs of the community and build a response system that matches the need and improves response times.”

In December, the Phoenix City Council unanimously voted to allocate $7.8 million in annual funding for the creation of 58 new sworn positions in the fire department.