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6 | CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION 2016
Q&A
CITY LEADERSHIP
Q Q
Impact: What can the Canyon Corridor Community and Grand Canyon University do to
support the fire department?
A A
Grand Canyon University has already shown great foresight in the
community. Your leaders are building an educational institution that
is meant to last. We have a number of firefighters who have benefitted
from your organization, graduating with both bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from Grand Canyon University. As a lifelong learner, I have
great admiration for your mission to educate, enhance the community
and seek opportunities to serve others. It is my plan that we continue to
work together to fund important programs, explore projects that benefit
the community, and stay connected. I believe we have tremendous
potential to serve our citizens.
Q Q
History: Can you tell us about your background?
A A
I have had the honor and privilege of serving the citizens of Phoenix for
32 years. I have worked in every position on a firetruck, starting in the
backseat as a firefighter. Now I lead the organization. Every assignment
I have had in Phoenix Fire has been gratifying. Firefighters are blessed
to serve humans during their greatest time of need. When people are
hurt, injured, frightened or threatened, they dial three numbers: 9-1-
1. What they get in return is a professional, smart, safe, well-trained
workforce that can mitigate any problem, large or small. It is an honor
and privilege to be on the frontend of that team.
When I first considered the fire service in the mid-80s, it was not a
traditional career for females. The world was changing though. My
mother and grandmother were both professional working women as
registered nurses. I had incredible role models. They taught me that a
good education, strong mind, self-discipline and desire to serve others
will lead you to your destiny. The fire service became my destiny.
I grew up in Maryvale. As a young girl that community was
my world. There was a real sense of belonging and hope.
Every street had young families raising children and often
both parents heading out the door each day to make a living.
Both of my parents worked and I learned very early that
everyone contributes. From a young age, I participated in
sports and school activities and took my studies seriously.
As soon as I was old enough, I began working different jobs.
The Maryvale community was filled with youth just like me
and it still is.
I am confident that today the students who attend Grand Canyon
University or take classes on your online program share the same
sense of future I had as a young woman. GCU has given hope and
opportunity to the community, the City of Phoenix and our neighboring
municipalities. That is very admirable. As a major partner with GCU,
my prime directive is to provide outstanding emergency response,
timely safety education to our youth and fire-prevention services.
Q Q
Any Final Thoughts?
A A
I genuinely believe in the value of education. It is not unusual for people
to ask me to give advice to young women on how to achieve success. My
advice is the same for everyone. Make a plan and set goals. Once you
start down a path, reevaluate and respond accordingly. It takes vision,
self-discipline and motivation to achieve great things. Life will hand
you challenges. Take those challenges and view them as opportunities
to learn. Many of my most memorable lessons were learned the hard
way. I would not trade those bumps in the road.
We are fortunate to live in a community that has strong, caring
leadership. Our city leaders genuinely want the best for our citizens. I
am one of those leaders. My executive staff, frontline firefighters, alarm
room dispatchers and civilian personnel help make the fire department
great. It has been my good fortune to be given the opportunity to
lead this dynamic group of people. We are diverse and represent the
community. Our firefighters care about others and seek opportunities
on and off the job to serve.
To learn more about us, please “like” our Phoenix Fire Department page
on Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @PHXFire or visit our webpage at
phoenix.gov/fire
Q Q
Please feel free to add any additional information that you would want us to know.
A A
I would like very much to share the Phoenix Fire Department’s vision
statement. I believe it says a lot about who we are as an organization.
PREVENT HARM: We are committed to the community and our
organization by being well trained, physically and mentally prepared
at all times, by understanding the value of ongoing education and
training, by using innovation and technology to be progressive, by
providing internal customer service programs and by promoting
external customer service programs to prevent harm.
SURVIVE: Safety is critical in everything we do. We recognize this
and will respond to the community’s needs safely, follow our policies
and procedures at all times, communicate effectively, work as a team
to always support each other, and maintain constant situational
awareness and accountability to ourselves, to each other and to the
customers we serve.
BE NICE: We honor and respect our diverse workforce and embrace
and uphold the PFD Way at all times. Our goal is to always provide
exceptional customer service through professionalism and integrity to
our members and to those who need our assistance in our community.
Deputy Chief Frank Solomon is the West District
Commander in Maryvale and is closely involved with the
University and the entire Canyon Corridor neighborhood
community. Like myself, he grew up in that area and is a
graduate of Maryvale High School. Chief Solomon has a
true stake in the community and genuine dedication to
making it safer.
- Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner