PIMA — U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., toured the eastern portion of his district Monday, making stops in Graham and Greenlee counties that included a tour of the Pima Fire Station that will be replaced, thanks Ciscomani’s securing of $2 million in federal funds for a new station.
Ciscomani learned that Pima has one of the largest volunteer Fire Departments in the state, with about 30 members, many of whom are second or third generation volunteers. And that about 70 percent of those volunteers work at the mine in Morenci, volunteering their limited off time after working 12-hour shifts.
“This is why we do this,” Ciscomani said. “If you ask all the people here — all the men and women serving here — why they do it? Because of their families.”
Fire Chief Scott Howell explained the department needs a new station due to space. The current station is not only too small to comfortably store all the equipment the department requires, but the building is also too short for modern fire engines. That has resulted in the department special-ordering apparatus, which can add $30,000 to $40,000 to the cost of replacing engines and trucks.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Ciscomani started his day by touring Freeport-McMoRan’s mining operation in Morenci, followed by a roundtable with Greenlee County leadership. He also took part in his office’s regular meeting with constituents who have issues with federal services or benefits.
In Graham County, before touring the Pima Fire Department, he met with Doug Grant and toured his business, Optimal Health Systems (OHS).
“That’s one thing I’m always going to be; I’m going to be a student of the community, of the people,” Ciscomani said. “So coming here has helped me — here in Greenlee and Graham counties — to meet people, learn what they do and then learn how I can help.”
In addition to the funding for a new Pima Fire Station, Ciscomani has secured $1.3 million in federal funding to help develop the Linear Park — a trail system along the Gila River connecting Safford and Thatcher — $274,000 for drainage design and mitigation in Duncan’s Hunter Estates, and $859,000 to help modernize Northern Cochise Community Hospital in Willcox.
Ciscomani represents Arizona’s 6th District, which includes Graham, Greenlee and Cochise counties.
