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Home Special Sections Everyone Can Be a Hero

Prescott Fire Department’s ‘Don of All Trades’ Keeps Us Safe

December 31, 2019
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by Dennis B. Light, Fire Chief, Prescott Fire Department
Although credit for the famous quote “choose a job that you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” is uncertain, the certainty with which Prescott Fire Department Division Chief/Fire Marshal Don Devendorf has approached the past 35-plus years has led to a safer community for all Prescottonians.
Humility is a trait carried by most first responders that serve this community. Often categorized as “heroes,” all those who serve readily downplay the tag and attribute their efforts as being “just part of the job.” This rings true when engaging Chief Devendorf in his current role as fire marshal or many of the past roles from which he’s served our community.
Don relocated to Prescott in the 1980s to pursue his passion for flying and attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. However with tuition money running low, a change to his intended career path was in order. Hence the much younger Don made all the necessary preparations for a career in the fire service.
He sought out the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities toward making himself a viable candidate. Beginning his service as a reserve member with the Central Yavapai Fire District, he soon entered the ranks of the Prescott Fire Department as a firefighter/emergency medical technician.
Over the course of the next three decades Don has had the opportunity to serve in virtually every position the fire service has to offer. Under a variety of nicknames ranging from “Doc” or “Double D” to the most recently coined “Silver Fox,” Don’s heart rests with the safety and betterment of the greater Prescott community.
Don has very much become the face of the Prescott Fire Department over his career. Beginning as an entry-level firefighter who was promoted through the ranks to his current position as division chief, his stops along the way have included roles as fire engineer, captain, operations battalion chief, special weapons and tactics medic, and public information officer, most recently serving as the City of Prescott fire marshal.
Don was on the ground floor when it came to the consolidation of the surrounding communities’ 911 dispatch centers following a tragic mishap that was amplified by a lack of interoperable communications. He worked with all the local fire and law enforcement leadership and as a net result the Prescott Regional Communications Center was born. Today this center is the primary public safety answering point for the City of Prescott police and fire departments, Prescott Valley Police Department, Yavapai Prescott Tribal Police Department, and the Yavapai College Police Department, in addition to Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, Groom Creek Fire District and Walker Fire Protection Association.
Described by many as approachable, friendly and full of wisdom, Don has devoted virtually all of his adult life to serving and protecting others.
As his career sunsets, he’s planning to take things a bit easier, at least for a few days before signing on for the next adventure. Don, you will be dearly missed.

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LOCAL NEWS: The Northern Arizona VA in Prescott has provided an update on their Homeless Veteran Program. . . .PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System’s Homeless Veteran Program, along with its community partners, housed 445 Veterans in 2022, exceeding their target goal by 157%.Nationally, the 2022 goal was to house 38,000 homeless Veterans— a goal that was exceeded by 6.3%. The Department of Veterans Affairs remains committed to ending Veteran homelessness and increasing housing placements is critical to achieving this goal.“This success is a result of efforts built on the evidence-based ‘Housing First’ approach, which prioritizes getting a Veteran into housing, then provides the Veteran with the support they need to stay housed,” said Steve Sample, Medical Center Director.In Northern Arizona, there are a variety of services designed to house homeless Veterans. The VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program includes VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers that provide formerly homeless Veterans with subsidized housing and a wraparound, interdisciplinary case management team to address issues that may have contributed to homelessness. The program provides justice outreach services, employment services, health care services through the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team, outreach, and transitional housing support. The VA also works closely with community partners to house homeless Veterans through a system called Coordinated Entry, where community agencies along with the VA regularly meet to coordinate efforts and ensure homeless Veterans do not fall through the cracks.“We are fortunate that there is so much support for helping homeless Veterans in our area,” said Jessica Taylor, Homeless Program Coordinator for the Northern Arizona VA. “This success could not have been possible without great collaboration between our community partners, Housing Authorities, Tribal partnerships, and support from our local communities.”Looking ahead, the VA will continue to explore new avenues to house homeless Veterans and overcome housing barriers. In collaboration with U.S VETS, Gorman & Company, and the Arizona Department of Housing, a supportive housing project on the grounds of the VA’s Fort Whipple campus is in the initial planning stages. The VA is also expanding outreach to ensure that homeless Veterans are aware of services available to them. For Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness— or if you know of homeless Veterans in need of assistance, call 877-424-3838.For more information on renting to or hiring homeless Veterans, visit: www.va.gov/homelessAbout the Northern Arizona VA: Through its main campus in Prescott, along with Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and Anthem— with additional clinics in Tuba City, Page, Kayenta, Chinle, Holbrook, and Polacca, the Northern Arizona VA provides services to approximately 33,000 Veterans over a catchment area of more than 65,000 square miles.. . .www.facebook.com/VAPrescott ... See MoreSee Less

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Empty Bowls of Prescott Arizona has announced that it will distribute $24,000 to local foodbanks! Their 2022 Empty Bowls fundraising event took place in September, and donations can be made year round on their website.prescott-empty-bowls.square.site ... See MoreSee Less

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