SOUTH TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Rural Metro Fire officially began operating South Tucson’s fire station earlier this month, ending years of staffing and budget constraints that have challenged the city’s emergency services.
The transition brings 24/7 coverage to South Tucson residents with four full-time firefighters on duty every day — a captain, an engineer and two firefighters — according to Assistant Fire Chief Jay Karlik.
“Our number one priority is safety,” Karlik said.
South Tucson Fire’s previous staffing model relied on one full-time fire captain and about 30 part-time firefighters.
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Many of those part-time firefighters could no longer work in South Tucson due to cancer liability concerns from their full-time departments, according to Karlik…