The Rio Verde Fire District has announced that it has extended the contract of Chief Gary Bradbury through June 30, 2016.

The board approved the additional year on the chief’s contract at its monthly meeting on Oct. 28, according to Board Chairman Birdie Pasenelli.

“We are extremely pleased with that,” Pasenelli said.

Bradbury was hired by the Fire District in 2009 after a long career with the City of Mesa Fire Department.

The board also agreed to begin the process of acquiring a Certificate of Need for ambulance operation in the district.

Pasenelli said this move is being made as a contingency in the event Rural/Metro is no longer available to serve the community.

“We have no intention of doing anything different for our current program with Rural/Metro,” Pasenelli said.

Ambulance companies operate with a Certificate of Need issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The certificate covers a specified geographic area.

Currently Rural/Metro’s Southwest Ambulance, or one of its subsidiary companies, holds the Certificate of Need for much of Maricopa County.

The Rio Verde Fire Board has also approved the district as a participant in an agreement that includes the state of Arizona and Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.

“It is primarily applicable to incidents when the governor and/or the president declares an emergency,” Pasenelli said. “The entities involved, counties, cities, towns, fire districts and Indian tribes must request this assistance through their County Emergency Management System.

“The document has details on what aid is provided and how to request reimbursement. Of course, the entities involved may be required to assist other jurisdictions.”

Nearly all fire departments in the county participate in the plan, which makes the jurisdiction’s resources available in the event of a major disaster or emergency. It also puts highly-trained emergency managers in charge should such a major disaster occur with the district’s jurisdiction.