Superstition Fire & Medical District Thanks Gila River Indian Community for 2023 Grant Award

January 9, 2026

Superstition Fire & Medical District: Press Release

Sacaton, Ariz – December 17, 2025 – The Superstition Fire & Medical District (SFMD) proudly announces the deployment of a new frontline ambulance, made possible through a generous 2023 grant award from the Gila River Indian Community.

The grant was awarded in 2023, and due to the specialized build process and delivery timeline, it took just over two years to construct and deploy the ambulance. Today, the unit is fully operational and serving residents across SFMD’s 71-square-mile service area. This new ambulance strengthen the District’s ability to respond to emergencies, reduce response times, and provide lifesaving care to a growing population that fluctuates from 65,000 full-time residents to more than 95,000 during the winter months.

“This ambulance represents not only an investment in equipment, but in the safety and survivability of our citizens,” said John Whitney, Fire Chief of SFMD. “We are deeply grateful to the Gila River Indian Community for their support. Their generosity ensures that we can continue to meet the demands of our expanding service area and uphold our mission of emergency service delivery.”

The addition of this ambulance comes at a pivotal time, as SFMD prepares for the construction of a sixth fire station and anticipates the impact of 17,000 new homes slated for development over the next decade. The new unit also ensures compliance with the Phoenix Auto Aid system, allowing SFMD to maintain high standards of service delivery.

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