Emergency Services

Richard Ochs

Assistant Chief of Operations (Acting)

Richard Ochs was appointed to Division Chief of Training/EMS in July of 2014. He also manages the Fire District’s Special Operations Teams which include Wildland and Technical Rescue.

Richard began his career as a firefighter with the Apache Junction Fire District in 1991 after previously serving the organization as a reserve firefighter. He certified as a paramedic in 1994 and a Technical Rescue Technician in 1999. Richard promoted through the ranks of Fire Captain in 1996 and Battalion Chief in 2010.

Chief Ochs is a State of Arizona Instructor/Trainer through the Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence and serves as the East Valley representative for the Arizona Fire Chief’s Association Training Section. He is a certified Incident Safety Officer and Trainer through the Fire Department Safety Officers Association. He completed the Fire Service Institute; Advanced Public Executive Program established by ASU and the Supervisors Academy through Arizona Governmental Training. He is a member of the Arizona Fire Chief’s Association and the Pinal County Emergency Management Planning Committee. Chief Ochs has an Associate in Arts Degree in Paramedicine from Central Arizona College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management from Grand Canyon University.

Brian White

Battalion Chief – A Shift

Bio coming soon.

Jeff Cranmer

Battalion Chief – B Shift

Having grown up in our community of Apache Junction, Battalion Chief Cranmer has a deep abiding love and commitment to the people of the community of Apache Junction. He started his career at the Apache Junction Fire District in 1994 as a Firefighter. Jeff advanced to Firefighter Paramedic in 1998 after finishing the Maricopa County Medical Paramedic Program. In 1999 Chief Cranmer promoted to Engineer and then promoted to Captain in 2001. Since joining the Apache  Junction Fire District, now known as Superstition Fire and Medical he has worked throughout the community in Apache Junction and Gold Canyon in the different capacities and ranks. Battalion Chief Cranmer then pursued and became a Battalion Safety Officer in 2010 and more recently completed the Public Administration BAS program from Northern Arizona University 2014.

Currently Chief Cranmer serves as the B Shift Battalion Chief. Cranmer has the privilege to support our community and staff by working with the SFMD Explorer Program, SCBA Team, and Facilities Team. Chief Cranmer volunteers extra time at the Apache Junction High School as a Fire Service Foundations Program Adviser and as a East Valley Institute of Technology Fire Science Adviser.

Together he and his wife Suzi enjoy their three son’s Garrett, Thomas, and Samson. Chief Cranmer believes faith, family, and service are core values to live by at work at home and while serving the community.

Brett Broman

Battalion Chief – C Shift

Battalion Chief Brett Broman has been an employee of the Superstition Fire and Medical District since 1995. Brett became a paramedic in 1998 and has since travelled through the ranks of Engineer, Captain, and Battalion Safety Officer. His latest promotion was in 2014 when he became the A-Shift Battalion Chief.

Chief Broman obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Colorado State University, is a nationally certified Incident Safety Officer through FDSOA, and recently attained “Blue Card” incident command instructor status.

Brett is a native Arizonian, growing up in the East Valley. He has a wife, two beautiful daughters, and a new dog, Jax. During his off-time, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves to spend time with his family, hunt, and play golf.