Dept. Firsts
The first Sparky Mascot.
Who is Captain Justin Swenson (who attended puppet school)
Two members who played in the NFL.
Year the department was founded.
When is 1948?
When washing the truck where should you not be parked with regards to the bay.
What is directly in front of the bay the truck is going to be pulled into? Being parked here just pulls all of the dirt that was just washed off of the truck right back into the bay.
Prior to the Union and Local 4005 the organization the members of the department belonged to.
What is an association. This lasted approx. 22 years. Station shirts were also more prevalent than they are now.
The first full time sworn Captain of the department.
Who is Captain Ron Lilley?
Two members of the department whose grandfathers were volunteer FFs with GYFD.
Who are Chief Kleinschmit and Engineer Goodwin?
Who are Captain Hugo Bedolla and Firefighter Dylan Means (19)?
The number of square feet in 1 Acre.
What is 43,560 Feet?
The approximate number of employees of the GYFD since becoming a department in 1948 and as of 2022
What is 400+ employees?
The first retiree of the department.
Who is Chief Mike Ullman?
This member was honored as a "Hometown Hero"
Who is Firefighter Oscar Navarro? FF Navarro was honored for being a member of MCSO prior to GYFD and for acquiring his US Citizenship while being a member of the department.
Specific paint color of the GYFD apparatuses.
What is 76' Corvette Yellow? Chief Gaillord had a yellow 76' Corvette and loved the color. In addition when a study on visibility at night was conducted, yellow, white, and chartreuse were found to be the most easily viewed colors at night.
The acronym S.H.I.T. stands for this.
What is, Ship (store) High in Transit?
Cats with six + toes associated with Ernest Hemmingway.
What are Polydactyl Cats?
First female officer of the department (all time not exclusively sworn)
Who is Krystal Matherly ('93 or '94)
Two members of the department who made a TV or Movie appearance.
Who are Captain Steve Mann, and Captain Jeff Paulk?
Captain Mann appeared in 9-0-2-1-0 as Cabana Boy #2, Basic Instict with Sheryn Stone, and in Newsies
Captain Jeff Paulk was on the Guards team in the Longest Yard and appeared in the movie Invincible
Number of Members lost after the 2008 recession.
What is ZERO? The fire department was the only department in the city to give concessions and were able to save the bottom 4-5 members in seniority.
The Wigwam Resort was built in the mid 20's by Paul Litchfield to house executives from Goodyear Tire Co. who were overseeing the production of the long Egyptian cotton. From Litchfield Road and Wigwam Blvd. to the train tracks used to be a straight road until this hosing development was built in the 90's.
What is, Palm Valley?
Prior to what it is today, the operational purpose of the Phoenix- Goodyear Airport.
What is, a Naval Aviator Base?
First member to hold the ranks of FF/ENG/CPT all with the GYFD.
Who is Chief Ed Pahl (Also held the position of BC and is currently a DC)
Member of the Department who got married at one of our stations.
Who is Captain Patrick Doyle? Captain Doyle got married to his wife at the original FS 181 (now known as Logistics AKA Leadville)
The year, and current location of the first Pierce Engine the Goodyear Fire Department purchased.
What is 1992, currently in Argentina (Unit Number 56)
What you do not know.
What is what you do not know?
The materials used to construct the oldest building in Avondale which was built in the stage coach days and is located at 205 W. Hill Dr.
What is, railroad ties and concrete?