090325 Attachment A - PSJ Fire Department Hiring-Staffing Report.pdf

Note: Report Data Through July 31, 2025. 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire Department Staffing 
The Fire Department administers hiring by forecasting attrition rates and managing 
recruitment efforts, hiring cycles, and training cycles to minimize vacancies. Thanks to the 
continued prioritization and support of the Mayor and Council, the number of authorized 
sworn positions has continued to increase. The current number of authorized sworn positions 
is 1999. 
 
The increase of authorized sworn positions has included significant efforts such as timely 
hiring and training of sworn firefighters to correspond with new fire stations, apparatus, and 
equipment procurement. In addition, supplemental authorized sworn positions have been 
approved to enhance emergency transportation services (i.e., ambulances) throughout the 
City of Phoenix to address increased activity levels. 
 
 
Phoenix Fire 
Department Staffing, 
Hiring and Activity 
Report 
Attachment A

Note: Report Data Through July 31, 2025. 
 
 
 
Firefighter Recruitment and Hiring 
The Fire Department recruits, hires, and trains new firefighters year-round to meet staffing 
needs. The Training Section ensures that each graduating firefighter is fully prepared to serve 
the residents of Phoenix. Testing frequency is determined by the number of applicants and 
available full-time positions, maintaining a strong candidate pool. Recently, the department 
hosted the Recruit Entrance Written Exam, with approximately 765 candidates participating. 
The table below compares testing and recruits trained over the past five years.  
  
 
 
 
Firefighter Recruit Training 
Recruit Class 25-2 officially began training at the Phoenix Fire Department Academy in June 
2025. This class includes 46 new Phoenix recruits who will undergo rigorous training to 
prepare for their roles as first responders. The start of Recruit Class 25-2 indicates positive 
progress in bolstering the department’s operational capacity, ensuring the continuation of 
high-quality emergency services for Phoenix residents. The chart below outlines the progress 
and graduation dates for the 2025 recruit academies. Enrollment in each session is maximized 
whenever possible, with space also reserved for students from regional partners. Final 
graduation numbers may vary as the process advances.   
 
Recruit Class 25-1  
 
 
 
43 Recruits   
Graduated  05.23.2025 
Recruit Class 25-2   
Started in June 
45 Recruits   
Graduating  09.05.2025 
Recruit Class 25-3   
Starts in October 47 Recruits   
Graduating  01.09.2026 
  
 
Year
Applicants 
Invited
Applicants 
Tested
Applicants 
Passing Test
Recruits 
Trained
2025
1267
765
516
43
2024
1105
600
408
154
2023
1271
729
467
135
2022
1445
921
634
68
2021
1348
896
594
95

Note: Report Data Through July 31, 2025. 
 
 
 
Community Engagement 
The Fire Department actively engages with the community through social media and public 
events, ensuring consistent communication and outreach. The chart below provides key 
metrics on recent social media interactions and engagement levels for the month of July. 
 
 
 
Community engagement extends beyond digital outreach to include social and community 
events, which are vital in strengthening connections with residents. The Fire Department 
actively hosts and participates in various events throughout the year to recruit, foster 
relationships, promote safety, and enhance public awareness. Below are the upcoming events 
for September 2025. 
 
Upcoming Community Safety & Education Events 
 
Sept. 12 
National Suicide Prevention Dodgeball Tournament 
Sept. 22 
Fire Dept. Award at Beuf Family Resource Center 
Sept. 25 
Public Education Fair & Immunization Clinic 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Posts
Interactions
Reach
Instagram Main PFD
31
109,189
550,339
Instgram Recruiting
7
7,994
118,538
Facebook
24
82,676
1,454,285
X (Twitter)
9
672
32,353
PFD Social Media Outreach

Note: Report Data Through July 31, 2025. 
 
 
 
Response Times & Call Volumes 
Response times are measured, monitored, and managed daily to maximize coverage and 
resource deployment. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established response 
time standards for fire and emergency medical service delivery, and the Arizona Department 
of Health Services (AZDHS) established the response time standard for emergency 
transportation services. 
 
The chart below shows response times by Council District for critical emergency medical 
service (EMS) incidents, first arriving engine to a fire incident, first arriving ladder to a fire 
incident, ambulance response times for critical EMS, total incident call volume for each Council 
District, citywide totals, and the associated standard 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Arriving 
ALS Unit (can 
be any type) 
to Critical 
EMS Incident
First Arriving 
Engine (Water) to a 
Fire Incident
First Arriving 
Ladder to a Fire 
Incident
Ambulance Critical 
EMS
Total 
Incident Call 
Volume 
2025
NFPA Standard
5:00
5:20
9:20
10:00
District 1
7:29
5:55
9:24
9:21
15,178
District 2
8:24
6:33
10:08
10:33
10,617
District 3
7:30
5:44
10:14
9:07
16,891
District 4
6:31
4:54
8:00
8:17
22,916
District 5
6:51
4:46
9:03
9:00
15,281
District 6
7:31
5:51
9:46
9:40
14,194
District 7
7:25
5:55
11:56
9:46
19,941
District 8
7:06
5:36
11:53
8:57
25,278
Citywide
7:16
5:45
10:13
9:17
140,296
Based on 90th percentile response times, not averages from January 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025.

Note: Report Data Through July 31, 2025. 
 
 
 
Emergency Patient Transportation Activity 
The Fire Department has operated its emergency transportation service for nearly four 
decades. Analyzing the monthly average activity levels over the past three years reveals a 
consistent upward trend in service demand.  
Total transports in July 2025 were 9,495, a 7.3 percent increase from the 8,852 transports 
recorded in July 2024.