STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro has appointed State Representative David Marshall to chair the newly formed Fire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee to bring the Legislature to the people and assess issues related to Arizona’s readiness for catastrophic fires and insurance policy coverage across rural and urban Arizona.

Representative Marshall, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement, represents a district that includes high-risk wildfire areas across Pinal, Gila, Coconino, and Navajo Counties. He expressed appreciation for Speaker Montenegro’s leadership in prioritizing fire prevention and response efforts.

“I’m honored that Speaker Montenegro has entrusted me to chair this committee because this issue couldn’t be more urgent for Arizona,” said Chairman Marshall. “The devastation caused by wildfires is staggering—homes lost, businesses wiped out, communities shattered. We’ve seen the warning signs in our state and the catastrophic disasters unfolding in places like California. It’s our job to make sure we are as prepared as possible to prevent and respond to these fires before they destroy precious lives and priceless property.”

Through a series of in-person town hall meetings and public comment sessions, the committee will hear from local stakeholders, including fire authorities, residents, and experts, in the most fire-prone areas to: 

• Research and uncover any weaknesses in our current fire prevention system. Make recommendations on ways to address these issues.
• Develop strategies to reduce nonrenewal of homeowners insurance policies across the state with an emphasis on high-risk areas.
• Evaluate current building codes to make sure they allow for maximum fire protection without increasing costs to new home buyers.
• Review and make recommendations on water supply needed for fire suppression.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on current forestry practices regarding wildland fires.

Chairman Marshall strongly emphasized the crucial role of firefighters, who risk their lives every day to protect Arizonans: “Firefighters do some of the toughest, most selfless work out there. They put themselves in harm’s way to save lives, homes, and entire communities. Yet, they’re often underpaid, overworked, and asked to do more with less. This committee will take a hard look at what’s needed to ensure they have the tools and support to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The Fire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee aligns directly with the House Republican Majority Plan’s focus on public safety, reinforcing the Legislature’s commitment to protecting Arizona families and communities.

“House Republicans have made public safety one of our highest priorities—whether that’s tackling violent crime, securing the border, or preparing for the next wildfire season,” said Speaker Montenegro. “The people of Arizona deserve leadership that takes action, not excuses, and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver.”

Chairman Marshall has already taken legislative steps to strengthen Arizona’s fire response. This session, he introduced HB2219 and HB2456, which invest in equipment for wildland firefighting, fire station upgrades, and a statewide incident management platform to improve emergency coordination.

In addition to Chairman Marshall, Speaker Montenegro has appointed Representatives John Gillette (R-30), Gail Griffin (R-19), Walter Blackman (R-7), Myron Tsosie (D-6), and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-21) to serve on the new ad hoc committee.

The committee will report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2025. Details regarding additional appointments and upcoming activities of the committee will be announced soon.

David Marshall is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 7, which includes Pinal, Gila, Coconino, and Navajo Counties. He also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement. Follow him on X at @DaveMarshallAZ.