Fire Chief John Feddema Takes the Helm

Feddema began his career in 2000 as a reserve firefighter with the Central Yavapai Fire District. In his 24 years of service, he has held multiple roles, including firefighter, captain, battalion chief and assistant chief of operations. He also works closely with several fire service organizations, serves on statewide training and advisory committees and with the Mighty Oaks Foundation. He has been interim fire chief since November 2024, and the CAFMA board officially appointed him chief in August.

“I did not see myself in this position. I set myself up to where if that door opened, I was able to walk through it as far as credentialing, training and preparations. But if the door never opened, I wasn’t going to go looking for it. The environment changed and here I am,” he said.

Feddema moved to the Prescott Valley area when he was 16 and graduated from Bradshaw Mountain High School. Following graduation, he worked construction, but after reviewing a Yavapai College brochure, he decided to take some fire science classes. He had no family background in firefighting, but he had found his calling.

When he tested for a part-time reserve position 24 years ago, Feddema was among 300 applicants. “We don’t get 300 applicants now. I think part of the challenge is, it’s a career. And generations change. I remember when I got hired, it was like, ‘I have my career, I have my path. I’m going to be here, I’m going to retire here.’ And honestly, that plan hasn’t changed.”

Bureau of Labor statistics show that young people today, for a number of reasons, generally stay in jobs for less time than in the past. Feddema said health risks among firefighters, work schedules and other factors unique to the fire service figure in. Among them is not having an understanding of what the career truly involves.

“Some recruits spend 15 weeks in a grueling fire academy, run a few calls and decide it’s not for them,” Feddema said. “It’s a small group, but it represents some of the changes. We have eight people that started an academy this morning, and we hope that they want to be here for a long time because there’s a significant investment as they get into the academy, from equipment to training. If we lose them, it’s a significant loss.”

With Yavapai County’s vast and varied fire coverage area, Feddema said partnerships between fire agencies are critical. Rather than one large district, there is a benefit to having multiple districts that work together, such as Prescott and CAFMA. Those partnerships include local police departments, city and town management, and even the Forest Service.

“That doesn’t exist everywhere, even in the State of Arizona. But again, we’ve lived with those folks. We’ve grown up with them. We’ve gone to high school together,” he said.

One challenge that has always faced CAFMA is the diversity of the communities it serves. Water supply for firefighting is an ongoing concern, which affects insurance ratings. Some areas, such as Prescott Valley, have been upgrading their hydrant systems, making fire response more efficient. But other rural areas are more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant or have no fire hydrants.

“We can control staffing and apparatus, but we have a lot of rural wildland interface and we’re always going to be battling that,” he said.

Feddema lives in Prescott Valley with his wife, Rebecca, and has five children, ages 11-19. He married two days before he started his first shift, and credits his family for their support throughout his career. “My wife and kids have only known the fire service,” he said. “They have all been very supportive.”

Looking back, he says rising through the ranks has offered more than he had envisioned.    “When I signed on for the fire service, I thought I was just going to go on engine calls. The career has been far more than that. My hope is that during the time I’m allowed to be here, that I can serve with value and stability, but also improve our partnerships with the community and help create sustainability moving forward.”

What I Wanted to be When I Grew Up

As a kid, I was drawn to building and construction. I considered becoming an architect and spent my high school years working construction for a family business. After graduation, I continued working construction, but when I started taking classes at Yavapai College, I shifted my focus toward a fire science degree, which ultimately led me into the fire service.

My Role Model

My role model is my father. He showed me the value of hard work, integrity and serving others without expecting recognition. That wisdom has carried me through challenges in life and shaped how I lead today.

Favorite Place to Visit

My family and I love to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, whether hunting, camping or hiking. It’s quiet and offers incredible views that remind me of the beauty and scale of God’s creation.

Best Advice

My father often reminded me that work, and the ability to work, is a blessing to be appreciated. He would encourage me to be a “happy-merry worker” if I wanted to join him, reminding me that work is hard enough on its own without bringing a poor attitude.

Daily Rituals

I try to begin each morning with time spent in prayer and reading scripture. This time helps me focus, keep perspective and approach the day with the right mindset. I’m not perfect about it every day, but it is something I continually work toward. QCBN

By Heidi Dahms Foster, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: After serving as CAFMA interim fire chief for nearly two years, John Feddema was
appointed as chief last month.