The Town of Patagonia has taken steps that could end its longstanding relationship with the 100-year-old Patagonia Volunteer Fire and Rescue (PVFR).

On February 21, the Town sent a two-page Request for Proposal (RFP), due March 31, to Sonoita-Elgin Fire District, Rio Rico Fire District and PVFR, announcing that the Town “is currently seeking proposals to provide fire and emergency medical services for the town for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.”

This is the first time in recent history that the Town has formally looked to an agency other than PVFR to perform these services. PVFR currently has a $65,000 one-year contract with the Town that began July 1, 2024 and expires June 30. 

The Town’s February 21 RFP notes in its opening section that the successful applicant “will have a strong Board of Directors that provides capable business management oversight and visionary guidance for the Agency’s current and future operations. … The successful Agency’s Fire Chief will be selected by the Board of Directors and the Board and Chief together will select the other principal operating officers… The Chief will be a professional firefighter holding certifications in CPR and Certified Emergency Management with at least 7 years’ experience leading firefighting and emergency medical service operations.“

On Monday, Sonoita-Elgin Fire District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to respond to the RFP, and SEFD’s detailed 52-page proposal was received by the Town of Patagonia later that day.

PVFR intends to submit a proposal, but PVFR’s leadership structure and personnel do not currently meet the baseline prerequisites the Town’s RFP is demanding. PVFR’s fire chief is traditionally selected by the department’s membership, not its Board of Directors, and PVFR Acting Fire Chief Zay Hartigan does not have the emergency management certifications the Town wants to see a Fire Chief hold.

At this time, the Town has not received a proposal from the Rio Rico Fire District.

This is a developing story. We will have further reporting soon.