Buckskin Fire District is located north of Parker, Arizona between Headgate Rock Dam and Parker
Dam in La Paz County. The Buckskin Fire District is 15 miles long, and covers more than 32 square
miles of rural property. We are responsible for all emergency fire and medical calls to a district of
3200 permanent residents. We operate from 2 strategically located fire departments within the
district, and are not always dispatched to the same call simultaneously.
We respond from normal fire engines and water tenders, as well as a 28 foot Rescue/Patrol Boat for
medical aid and rescue on or alongside the Colorado River, i.e., a vehicle in the water. We have 12
Career Firefighters, a responding Fire Chief and Assistant Chief, an Administrative Assistant, and 8
Volunteer/Firefighter Reserves on staff. EMS levels range from Basic Life Support to Paramedic. Our
annual call volume is typically 600.
Our department also protects several key structures including the Central Arizona Water Pumping
Plant; the Hydroelectric Parker Dam; the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Headgate
Rock Dam; the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge; Buckskin and River Island State Parks; and Arizona
state land and Bureau of Land Management lands along the Colorado River as well as Bureau of
Indian Affairs land which also borders our district.
Situated in the desert, along the Colorado River known as the “Parker Strip”, our district is a haven for
desert explorers and water sport enthusiasts. This area attracts a large tourist and part time resident
population and can increase our population in our small district to 60,000 during peak seasons.
The major flow of traffic within our district is Highway 95, between mileage markers 145 and 167. This
stretch of highway is the connecting link between Parker and Lake Havasu City, AZ. This recently
improved and widened stretch of highway now enables traffic to flow at a higher rate of speed. The
second most widely used road in our district is Riverside Drive, which follows the Colorado River AZ
coastline, and affords access to the river and river area homes and businesses. The traffic on these
roads are primarily vehicles towing large boats; motor homes towing recreational vehicles, etc.,
enroute to Parker, Lake Havasu, or the greater Phoenix area.
Our fire district is governed by an elected five member Fire Board. The Buckskin Fire District is
supported financially primarily by tax revenue generated from our small permanent resident
population, and not from the entire population we serve. Those living outside of the Buckskin Fire
District, and who have received our emergency services are charged accordingly. This additional
revenue helps to offset the additional costs incurred for emergency supplies. Most of our budget is
spent on salaries, maintenance, training expenses, normal operational equipment, and medical
supplies.
Dam in La Paz County. The Buckskin Fire District is 15 miles long, and covers more than 32 square
miles of rural property. We are responsible for all emergency fire and medical calls to a district of
3200 permanent residents. We operate from 2 strategically located fire departments within the
district, and are not always dispatched to the same call simultaneously.
We respond from normal fire engines and water tenders, as well as a 28 foot Rescue/Patrol Boat for
medical aid and rescue on or alongside the Colorado River, i.e., a vehicle in the water. We have 12
Career Firefighters, a responding Fire Chief and Assistant Chief, an Administrative Assistant, and 8
Volunteer/Firefighter Reserves on staff. EMS levels range from Basic Life Support to Paramedic. Our
annual call volume is typically 600.
Our department also protects several key structures including the Central Arizona Water Pumping
Plant; the Hydroelectric Parker Dam; the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Headgate
Rock Dam; the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge; Buckskin and River Island State Parks; and Arizona
state land and Bureau of Land Management lands along the Colorado River as well as Bureau of
Indian Affairs land which also borders our district.
Situated in the desert, along the Colorado River known as the “Parker Strip”, our district is a haven for
desert explorers and water sport enthusiasts. This area attracts a large tourist and part time resident
population and can increase our population in our small district to 60,000 during peak seasons.
The major flow of traffic within our district is Highway 95, between mileage markers 145 and 167. This
stretch of highway is the connecting link between Parker and Lake Havasu City, AZ. This recently
improved and widened stretch of highway now enables traffic to flow at a higher rate of speed. The
second most widely used road in our district is Riverside Drive, which follows the Colorado River AZ
coastline, and affords access to the river and river area homes and businesses. The traffic on these
roads are primarily vehicles towing large boats; motor homes towing recreational vehicles, etc.,
enroute to Parker, Lake Havasu, or the greater Phoenix area.
Our fire district is governed by an elected five member Fire Board. The Buckskin Fire District is
supported financially primarily by tax revenue generated from our small permanent resident
population, and not from the entire population we serve. Those living outside of the Buckskin Fire
District, and who have received our emergency services are charged accordingly. This additional
revenue helps to offset the additional costs incurred for emergency supplies. Most of our budget is
spent on salaries, maintenance, training expenses, normal operational equipment, and medical
supplies.
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About Us
| ABOUT US Buckskin Fire District |
BFD Recognizes Personnel at
Badge Presentation Ceremony
The public was invited to a Badge Presentation Ceremony held
October 7, 2009 at Buckskin Fire Department Station 11. The event
marked the first anniversary of the newly elected Fire Board.
Changes in personnel were recognized and honored. Fire Board
Chairman Gary Svider presented Chief Chris Chambers with a
Chief’s badge. In turn, Chief Chambers presented former Chief
Philpot with a plaque recognizing his 25 years of dedicated service.
BFD Members receiving badges were Assistant Chief Jeffry Harran,
Captain Trevor Anderson; Firefighters Chad Conlin, Joe Maxwell,
Eric Foerstner, Adam Morris, Wayne Guiliani, and Chris Cantrell. All
personnel were introduced and recognized for their role in the
Buckskin Fire District.
Former Chief Bill Verkamp was among many who came to honor the
recipients. Refreshments were served following the ceremony.
Badge Presentation Ceremony
The public was invited to a Badge Presentation Ceremony held
October 7, 2009 at Buckskin Fire Department Station 11. The event
marked the first anniversary of the newly elected Fire Board.
Changes in personnel were recognized and honored. Fire Board
Chairman Gary Svider presented Chief Chris Chambers with a
Chief’s badge. In turn, Chief Chambers presented former Chief
Philpot with a plaque recognizing his 25 years of dedicated service.
BFD Members receiving badges were Assistant Chief Jeffry Harran,
Captain Trevor Anderson; Firefighters Chad Conlin, Joe Maxwell,
Eric Foerstner, Adam Morris, Wayne Guiliani, and Chris Cantrell. All
personnel were introduced and recognized for their role in the
Buckskin Fire District.
Former Chief Bill Verkamp was among many who came to honor the
recipients. Refreshments were served following the ceremony.
Chief Chambers awards former
Chief Philpot with placque for prior
years of dedicated service
Chief Philpot with placque for prior
years of dedicated service
Left to right:
Former Chief Verkamp, Chief Chambers,
Former Chief Philpot
Former Chief Verkamp, Chief Chambers,
Former Chief Philpot
Above: Fire Board and BFD
Personnel honored at Badge
Presentation Ceremony
Personnel honored at Badge
Presentation Ceremony
| Buckskin Fire Department Parker, AZ On the "Parker Strip" |