The Mesa Fire and Medical Department will allow private businesses to sponsor health and safety messages on its fire trucks.
"We're going to be very particular about who we work with," said Deputy Chief Forrest Smith.
ABC15 got a first look at how the messaging will appear. Each truck will feature two small decals with bold text over a logo. As the department deals with around $3.7 million in budget cuts, Smith said they hope the program will generate around $250,000.
"Rather than having to cut into our operational side that can impact our 911 response, we like to be able to create revenue streams that will allow us to work on the education side," he said.
Engine 203 already features messaging from the Mesa Chamber of Commerce that reads, “It’s Everyone’s Business to Stop the Spread of the Flu.” President and CEO Sally Harrison said several of the chamber's 850 members are interested in the fire truck sponsorships.
"It just makes sense for the business community to be engaged," she said.
In addition to the fire truck decals, sponsors will also receive trading cards -- with images of the apparatus and their business logo -- and social media videos and tie-ins with both the department and chamber.
Smith said this is the first program of its kind in the country by a large-scale fire department.
