FAQs

General questions you may have

 

Bee Removal

The City of Tucson Fire Department does NOT provide bee removal services and responds only to emergency situations involving an immediate threat to public safety; if there is a high risk of danger within city limits, please call 911. For non-emergency situations, bee removal on private property is the responsibility of the property owner or resident, and you may contact BeeMasters Inc. at 520-623-9349. For apartments, businesses, and other privately owned properties, the property owner or management is responsible for arranging bee removal.

 

Billing

You have multiple convenient options available for submitting your payment. You may contact our office at 520-837-8331 to process a credit card payment over the phone or to set up a payment plan. Payments may also be submitted by mail using a credit card or check. In addition, you may visit any city cashier station with your invoice to complete your payment in person. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 520-837-8331.

Car Seat

To request a new car seat, we kindly ask that you first complete our Car Seat Basics course, which is available online and takes about 60 minutes. To get started, please submit your information at  https://docs.tucsonaz.gov/Forms/TFD-Car-Seat-Request , and a certified car seat technician will follow up with you.

Car seat checks and installations are by appointment only, and we ask that you please bring your car seat instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual to your appointment. For any questions, you may also call 520-837-7104.

CPR

If you are interested in obtaining CPR certification, please contact Save A Life at (520) 623-8484 for information on classes, schedules, and registration. Please note that the City of Tucson Fire Department does NOT provide CPR classes.

Drug and Medication Disposal

Tucson Fire stations do NOT accept unused or expired medications; however, community members are encouraged to use authorized disposal locations, including Walgreens (4685 E. Grant Road; 1880 E. Irvington Road; 3800 W. Ina Road; 6767 E. Broadway Blvd; 7111 E. Golf Links Road), CVS (2601 S. Houghton Road; 3785 W. Ina Road; 1900 W. Valencia Road; 7740 N. Cortaro Road), the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (2545 E. Ajo Way; 8999 E. Tanque Verde Road), the University of Arizona Kim Birmingham Pharmacy (1224 E. Lowell Street, Building 95), and Banner Family Pharmacy (1625 N. Campbell Avenue, Outpatient Center Lobby).

Fire Extinguisher

The Tucson Fire Department does NOT provide services for refilling or disposing of fire extinguishers. For refilling needs, we recommend contacting United Fire, who can assist with proper maintenance and recharge services. If you are looking to safely dispose of a fire extinguisher, please reach out to Los Reales Landfill at 520-791-4183, as they are equipped to handle disposal in an environmentally responsible manner.

Fire Hydrant

To report an issue with a fire hydrant, please contact the City of Tucson non-emergency line by dialing 311. The Tucson Fire Department does NOT own or maintain fire hydrants, so we are unable to handle these issues directly. The City of Tucson staff at 311 will be happy to assist you and make sure the concern is addressed.

Firefighter Classes/Training

For information about upcoming firefighter classes and training, please visit our website at

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Fire/TFD-Contact-Us/Tucson-Fire-Department-Training-Recruiting

If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to email us at tucsonfirequestions@tucsonaz.gov

Fireworks

In Tucson, Arizona, only ground-based fireworks—called “permissible consumer fireworks”—are legal. These include sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, smoke devices, and toy snappers. Fireworks that fly or explode in the air, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles, are not allowed. Permissible fireworks can generally be used around major holidays, usually from June 24 to July 6 and December 26 to January 4. Even during these times, fireworks should not be used near dry brush, in restricted parks, or in areas with high wildfire risk. Violating these rules can result in fines or other penalties, sometimes over $1,000. Following these guidelines helps ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration.

Food Donation

We sincerely appreciate your generosity and your interest in supporting and thanking our firefighters. For health and safety reasons, we are only able to accept commercially packaged, unopened food items. We are unable to accept homemade food. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Inspection

If you would like to schedule an inspection or have any questions about the inspection process, please email us at tucsonfirequestions@tucsonaz.gov or call (520) 791-4512. Our team is happy to assist you and provide any information you may need.

Internship/Volunteer

The Tucson Fire Department does NOT offer internship or volunteer opportunities. We appreciate your interest in supporting the department, but there are currently no programs available for public participation.

Knox Box and Lock Box

Knox Box  

A Knox Box is a secure, wall-mounted lockbox used to store building keys for fire and emergency personnel, allowing quick and safe access during emergencies without the need for forced entry. To purchase a Knox Box, please contact Knox Box directly by phone at (800) 566-9269, by email at info@knoxbox.com , or through their website. Once the box has been purchased and installed at your home or business, please contact the fire department at (520) 791-4512 to arrange for a key to be placed inside; however, please note that the fire department does NOT install Knox Boxes. Only the fire department has access to open the Knox Box, and it cannot be opened by anyone else once it is installed and registered with the department.

 

Lock box

A lock box is a wall-mounted box used to store keys, and it can only be accessed if the owner provides the code, unlike a Knox Box which the fire department can open with a master key. If you would like us to keep your lock box code on file, we will need to collect some information, including your name, date of birth, address, phone number, whether there are any pets at the residence, the location of the lock box, and the access code. Please call us at (520) 791-4512 once your lock box is installed and ready.

 

Neighborhood Complaints

If you would like to report a complaint or issue regarding a neighbor, please contact the City of Tucson Code Enforcement office at 520-791-5843. Their team is available to assist you and help address any concerns.

Oxygen Tanks

The Tucson Fire Department does not provide services for refilling or disposing of oxygen tanks. For assistance with refilling, please contact local medical supply stores, hospitals, or clinics, as they are equipped to handle these needs. For proper disposal of oxygen tanks, please reach out to Los Reales Landfill at 520-791-4183. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to contact these resources for safe and appropriate handling.

Patch

To request a fire department patch, please email tucsonfirequestions@tucsonaz.gov , with your name and mailing address. Once we receive your request, we will process it and send the patch if available.

Permits

If you would like to obtain a permit or have any questions regarding the permitting process, please call us at 520-837-7130 or email TFD-PERMIT-SUBMITTAL@tucsonaz.gov

Records

If you would like to request a patient care report or a fire report, please fill out the request form our website at

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Fire/Request-Tucson-Fire-Services/Request-Fire-Records

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to call us at (520) 791-4512.

Request for Services (30-day minimum notice is required)

If you would like to request a service, such as a station tour, wet down, or Love of Reading Week, we kindly ask that you fill out the form on our website at

https://docs.tucsonaz.gov/Forms/TFD-Service-Presentation-Request

Please note that each service is limited to one hour. We are unable to schedule service requests on Sundays, holidays, or during station training sessions. Additionally, we kindly request at least 30 days’ notice for all service requests.

Ride Along

The City of Tucson does NOT provide ride-along opportunities for the public. Individuals who are interested in experiencing fire department operations may do so by applying as a firefighter candidate during the hiring process or by joining the Cadet Program, which are the only approved pathways for involvement with the department.

Sandbags

The City of Tucson Fire Department does NOT provide sandbags. You can get free sandbags and sand through the City of Tucson’s “Operation Splash” program, which helps prevent flooding and is typically active from June through mid-September. The main 24/7 self-serve station is located in the east parking lot of Hi Corbett Field at 700 S. Randolph Way. Residents should bring their own shovels, and there is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle.

Snake Removal

The City of Tucson Fire Department does NOT provide snake removal services and responds only to emergency situations involving an immediate threat to public safety; if there is a high risk of danger within city limits, please call 911. For non-emergency situations, snake removal is the responsibility of the property owner or resident, and you may contact Arcadia Landscape at 520-791-0889 for assistance. 

Swimming Pool Fill

Please note that the Tucson Fire Department does NOT provide swimming pool filling services. If you need assistance with filling a pool, you may want to contact a professional pool company.

 

Unlock Vehicle

The Tucson Fire Department only provides vehicle unlock assistance when there is a person, such as a child or vulnerable individual, inside the vehicle. In these situations, please call 911 for emergency assistance. For all other vehicle lockout situations, please contact a professional locksmith for help.

 

Where was my loved one transported? Wellness Checks

Unfortunately, the Tucson Fire Department is unable to provide information about where your loved one was transported due to HIPAA privacy regulations. If you have power of attorney for the individual, we may be able to share this information with you. If not, we recommend contacting hospitals near the location of the incident, as they may be able to assist you. We understand this can be a stressful time and appreciate your understanding.

If you would like to request a wellness check, please call 911. They would be able to assist and ensure the safety and well-being of those in need. If you are calling from outside the city of Tucson and need to reach Tucson 911 services, please dial 520-791-4434. This number will connect you directly to the Tucson emergency dispatch center.

 

Additional Questions?

Any more question? Email tucsonfirequestions@tucsonaz.gov or call (520) 791-4512