The past two decades have seen a dramatic decrease in the losses attributed to fire nationally, and the number of actual fire emergencies continues to decline. While there are many contributing factors, the efforts by those involved in fire prevention have been applauded as key.

The Sierra Vista Fire and Medical Services’ Fire Prevention Bureau seeks to extinguish fire in the early stages or prevent fires altogether. The Fire Marshal's office is responsible for Fire Prevention, Fire Code Enforcement, Fire and Life Safety Inspections, Fire Safety Education, and Fire Investigations.

Fire Marshal

The Fire Marshal’s office is responsible for Fire Prevention, Commercial Fire and Life Safety Inspections, Incident Investigations, and Prevention Education for the community. The Fire Marshal conducts fire inspections of all necessary buildings and installations within the city, investigates all fires involving death or serious injury, all major fires or any fire where the cause cannot be determined by the officer-in-charge, conducts plan reviews of all new buildings to determine compliance with the International Fire Code, with city and state fire/life safety codes, and provides fire safety education throughout the city.

Fire Marshal – Don Foster
675 Giulio Cesare
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635
(520) 439-2230

Fire Inspector

The fire inspector enforces provisions of the International Fire Code, city ordinances, and all state laws pertaining to the prevention of disastrous incidents. The fire inspector reviews construction documents to ensure conformity to current codes and ordinances, inspects all buildings and premises as often as prescribed by law, or as necessary. Home safety inspections are available upon request.

Fire Inspector–Mike Shamas
675 Giulio Cesare
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635
(520) 678-3751(cell)

Fire Investigations

Sierra Vista Fire and Medical Services has members trained as fire investigators. The fire investigator, along with a police detective, is responsible for investigating all fires involving death or serious injury, all major fires and any fire where the cause cannot be determined by the officer-in-charge. Fire investigators, with law enforcement assistance, can also secure warrants, arrest suspects, collect and preserve evidence, and present this evidence in court.