Public Affairs Section

Certified Fire Journalist Media Academy

Return to Phoenix Fire main page



PIO and Phoenix fire network information. Photo of media and Battalion Chief at the Safeway roof collapse in July 2007.
Public Affairs Office: 602-534-0953
The Phoenix Fire Department Public Affairs section is responsible for helping to communicate to the public important safety messages, as well as the good job the men and women of the Phoenix Fire Department do every day. This is done by the Public Information Officers and support staff, by giving information on emergency incidents, as well as providing interviews and demonstrations on life safety issues. The primary responsibility of the Public Information Officer (PIO) is to respond quickly to emergency incidents, and act as a positive liaison with the news media. Providing accurate information in a timely manner is essential to media relations. The PIO also advises the media of important news events through the Media Alert System.

Public Affairs Public Information Officers (PIO)

Captain Hugh Chase photo Captain Hugh Chase

Captain Hugh Chase was recruited into the Phoenix Fire Department in 1994.  In April of 1997, he went through the department’s paramedic program and promoted to Captain in June of 2006.

Hugh is a valued participant in the Phoenix Fire Department’s Spanish Immersion program.  He is fluent in Spanish and was an instructor for a year before becoming the program coordinator in 2007.

Hugh is a native Phoenician who grew up in the Central Phoenix area.

He has been married since 1992 and has three children.


Captain Alex Rangel photo Captain Alex Rangel

Captain Alex Rangel graduated from Arizona State University in 1984.  He has been a Phoenix firefighter for 23 years.  He became a paramedic in 1990 and has been a toxicology medic for ten years.

Alex promoted to Captain in 2000.  Throughout his time on the job, he has been a Hazmat Technician, on the Technical Rescue Team, and in the Baby Shots program.  He co-developed the Spanish Immersion program and is on the adjunct faculty at Phoenix College. 

Alex is also a master instructor for the International Association of Firefighters and is an Arizona State Fire Marshall instructor.

Alex is the father of two children.  He enjoys the outdoors and traveling.


Captain Dorian Jackson photo

Captain Dorian Jackson

Captain Dorian Jackson came on the job with the Phoenix Fire Department in August of 1995.  He went through paramedic school in 1997. 

He worked with our recruits down at the Training Academy in 2006 and became a Technical Rescue Technician in January of 2007.

In July of 2007, Dorian was promoted to Captain.

He is married with two children and enjoys playing basketball and staying physically fit.


Phoenix Fire Training Support Unit graphic

The section formerly known as Phoenix Fire Network (PFN) has undergone a reorganization to better utilize our member's talents. With these new changes, the focus of the section will be to use the latest in technology to improve the way our members receive training. The name that was chosen for this section is the Fire Training Support Unit (FTSU). It is our intention to work closely with those individuals who develop training and participate by bringing years of experience in media production.




Last modified on 11/02/2009 10:01:15