Empowering Local Communities through Wildfire Education
D.VILLARREAL
D.VILLARREAL
D.VILLARREAL
Wildland Fire Contractor | Fuels Crew Supervisor | Fire Operations Specialist Villarreal began his fire career in 2008, serving on State and U.S. Forest Service hand crews where he gained valuable experience in wildfire suppression, fuels management, and crew leadership. His early work in the public sector built a strong foundation in wil
Wildland Fire Contractor | Fuels Crew Supervisor | Fire Operations Specialist Villarreal began his fire career in 2008, serving on State and U.S. Forest Service hand crews where he gained valuable experience in wildfire suppression, fuels management, and crew leadership. His early work in the public sector built a strong foundation in wildland firefighting operations and interagency collaboration. After a brief hiatus from the fire service, Villarreal transitioned to the private sector in 2018, where he continued to expand his experience working in fuels reduction and fire engine operations. His commitment to operational excellence and community protection led him to establish his own private fire contracting company in 2021. Since then, his business has grown to include a fuels hand crew, two Type 6 fire engines, and a dedicated falling module, providing professional wildfire mitigation, suppression support, and defensible space inspection services throughout Arizona and surrounding regions. Villarreal is dedicated to developing a comprehensive wildfire report for landowners, ensuring they have a solid wildfire protection plan in place. He remains passionate about building skilled crews, supporting interagency partnerships, and advancing proactive wildfire mitigation efforts across the West.
S.KAUFFMAN
D.VILLARREAL
D.VILLARREAL
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist | Technical Rescue Instructor | Community Educator Kauffman has been a resident of Prescott, Arizona, for over 20 years, where his lifelong dedication to fire service and community safety continues to make a lasting impact. His journey into the fire service began at the age of 16, when he enrolled in the Fir
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist | Technical Rescue Instructor | Community Educator Kauffman has been a resident of Prescott, Arizona, for over 20 years, where his lifelong dedication to fire service and community safety continues to make a lasting impact. His journey into the fire service began at the age of 16, when he enrolled in the Fire Science Program at the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Arizona. He began his professional career with Rural Metro Fire Department before relocating to Prescott, where he served three seasons with the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Following his time as a Hotshot, Kauffman advanced his career as a structural fire department apparatus engineer and technical rescue technician, specializing in confined space rescue instruction. Today, Kauffman proudly serves with Firemedx International, providing comprehensive wildfire reports, defensible space inspections, and developing wildfire protection plans throughout Arizona. His commitment to excellence, education, and public safety exemplifies the Firemedx mission of building safer, more resilient communities in the wildland–urban interface. Beyond his professional work, Kauffman is a devoted husband and father, an accomplished violinist in the local symphony, and a Living History volunteer at the Sharlot Hall Museum, where he continues to give back to the community he calls home.
D.RIZZA
D.VILLARREAL
D.RIZZA
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist | Instructor | Fuels Management Professional Rizza began his career in 2014 with State Fire Fuels Crews, gaining extensive hands-on experience in vegetation management, wildfire prevention, and defensible space operations. His early work on the line fostered a deep respect for the power of fire and the criti
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist | Instructor | Fuels Management Professional Rizza began his career in 2014 with State Fire Fuels Crews, gaining extensive hands-on experience in vegetation management, wildfire prevention, and defensible space operations. His early work on the line fostered a deep respect for the power of fire and the critical importance of proactive mitigation in protecting lives and property. In 2022, he founded a private defensible space and land management company that delivers top-tier landscaping, tree services, and comprehensive wildfire report solutions throughout Arizona. Through this work, he has helped homeowners, HOAs, and Firewise USA communities understand and implement defensible space principles within the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI), including conducting thorough defensible space inspections. Today, he remains deeply committed to education, fuels reduction, and community resilience, working alongside crews, hosting training and awareness events, and supporting Firemedx International’s mission to reduce wildfire risk and promote preparedness across the state. Driven by a passion to serve, he looks forward to training and mentoring both new and seasoned professionals who share his dedication to protecting Arizona’s communities through proactive wildfire mitigation, stewardship, and developing effective wildfire protection plans.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
SECTION CHIEF GARCIA
SECTION CHIEF GARCIA
SECTION CHIEF GARCIA
Deputy Fire Chief | Operations Chief | Emergency Management Professional
Chief Garcia serves as the Deputy Fire Chief and Operations Chief for the Ash Fork Fire Department, where he oversees logistics, procurement, staff training, and equipment maintenance. His leadership ensures the department’s operational readiness, strategic efficiency
Deputy Fire Chief | Operations Chief | Emergency Management Professional
Chief Garcia serves as the Deputy Fire Chief and Operations Chief for the Ash Fork Fire Department, where he oversees logistics, procurement, staff training, and equipment maintenance. His leadership ensures the department’s operational readiness, strategic efficiency, and emergency response capabilities across diverse fire and rescue operations.
Chief Garcia holds a Master’s degree in Fire Executive Leadership and Emergency Services Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Management. He has completed the FEMA Professional Development Series, the National Fire Academy Supervisory Series, and Incident Command System (ICS) training including ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800—credentials that reinforce his expertise in incident leadership and emergency coordination.
A proud U.S. Army veteran, Chief Garcia served ten years as a combat medic, including both combat and peacekeeping deployments. His distinguished service earned him the Combat Medical Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with Bronze “V” Device for Valor, honors that reflect his courage, discipline, and leadership under pressure.
Beyond the fire service, Chief Garcia is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Concierge Cleaning Service, a company he launched in 2021 that has successfully expanded into three regional markets under his strategic direction.
Chief Garcia’s professional affiliations include membership in the Order of the Sword and Shield National Honor Society, recognizing excellence in homeland security and emergency management, and Alpha Beta Kappa, a national honor society honoring academic achievement and leadership.
Driven by service, integrity, and innovation, Chief Garcia brings a mission-focused and multidimensional leadership approach to every endeavor—strengthening Firemedx International’s collaborative efforts in wildfire mitigation, emergency management, and community resilience across Arizona.
D.HAYWOOD
SECTION CHIEF GARCIA
SECTION CHIEF GARCIA
Operations Specialist | Government & Community Relations | Disaster Response Leader
Haywood is a U.S. Army veteran and accomplished operations leader with extensive experience in resident relations, government partnerships, and nonprofit service. With over a decade of work in community systems management and disaster response, she has deve
Operations Specialist | Government & Community Relations | Disaster Response Leader
Haywood is a U.S. Army veteran and accomplished operations leader with extensive experience in resident relations, government partnerships, and nonprofit service. With over a decade of work in community systems management and disaster response, she has developed a reputation for operational excellence, collaboration, and service-driven leadership.
Based in Texas, Haywood has spent her career building and refining systems that improve efficiency, strengthen community impact, and enhance emergency coordination. Her professional background spans multifamily housing operations, interagency collaboration, and partnerships with local, state, and federal organizations during times of crisis.
Her nonprofit work includes supporting first responders during emergencies, assisting vulnerable populations, and facilitating long-term community recovery through sustainable programs and resource development.
In government relations, she has focused on bridging communication between agencies, organizations, and residents, ensuring seamless coordination before, during, and after critical events.
Haywood also brings hands-on expertise in disaster response operations, including rapid deployment readiness, logistics coordination, and resource management in high-pressure environments.
As part of the Firemedx International team, Haywood integrates her operational insight and community-focused leadership to ensure that both responders and residents have the tools, systems, and support they need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire-related and other emergency events.
K.RHODES
SECTION CHIEF GARCIA
K.RHODES
Executive Director | Fire Prevention Specialist | Wildfire Risk Educator
Rhodes brings over ten years of experience in fire prevention, fuels management, and wildfire risk reduction to his role as Executive Director of Firemedx International. He leads the organization’s strategic planning, operations, and prevention programs, driving its m
Executive Director | Fire Prevention Specialist | Wildfire Risk Educator
Rhodes brings over ten years of experience in fire prevention, fuels management, and wildfire risk reduction to his role as Executive Director of Firemedx International. He leads the organization’s strategic planning, operations, and prevention programs, driving its mission to strengthen wildfire preparedness and community resilience across Arizona.
Rhodes holds extensive training and certifications in Emergency Medical Services, Wilderness First Response, and Emergency Management, along with multiple professional credentials through ICS, FEMA, NWCG, NFA, DEMA, and as a Certified Instructor. He is also pursuing Fire Service Community Risk Reduction certificate and a Master’s degree in Emergency Services Management to further enhance his leadership and operational expertise.
He developed Firemedx’s Wildfire Risk Defensible Space Inspection Program, which bridges the gap between homeowners, contractors, and the insurance industry by promoting proactive wildfire mitigation and defensible space compliance.
Rhodes also coordinates and instructs the organization’s monthly Wildfire Risk Reduction class, educating both the public and contractors on wildfire behavior, preparedness, and defensible space principles within the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI).
His passion for service and community collaboration is reflected through his outreach, partnerships, and volunteer efforts across Arizona.
Rhodes frequently participates in speaking engagements, cooperative programs, and awareness initiatives that promote wildfire safety and prevention.
A dedicated family man, Rhodes married his high school sweetheart, is the proud Daddy of seven children—three girls and four boys, and believes that faith, family, serving neighbor and community are life's greatest responsibilites in developing a solid foundation for moral values, strong character, and servant leadership.
Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving mindset, Rhodes approaches challenges with humility, integrity, and purpose—embodying the Firemedx motto:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one brother or sister sharpens another.”