By Mark Cowling | Pinal Central
After Tara Walter’s family home experienced a break-in eight years ago, it took officers almost a half-hour to arrive. She eventually learned there were no police officers assigned to patrol her area, and the Fire Department was short-handed as well.
Today, after three years as mayor, Walter said in a year-end interview with the Florence Reminder that she was proud of recent accomplishments by both departments:
“The Fire Department has been certified as a Premier EMS Agency by the Arizona Department of Health Services,” Walter commented by email. “The program was designed to further improve patient outcomes in Arizona through implementing evidence-based, highly coordinated and standardized pre-hospital care. As one of only 60 agencies to have earned the designation, the Florence Fire Department was recognized for their dedication to improve the care they provide for their patients.