CTWJ E9: Jim Grasham, Fiesta de los Bomberos

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   Guests

  Jim Grasham, Event Coordinator for the Fiesta de los Bomberos – Feast & Fairways Event 
Address: Fiesta de los Bomberos,
P. O. Box 864, Vail, AZ  
85641-0864 
520-780-7330 
Website: http://feastandfairways.org 
Social Media Links  (Facebook | Twitter | YouTube)  

Jim Grasham is a retired, 42-year veteran of the Arizona Fire Service and a member of the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame.  He is also a Vietnam-era military veteran serving in the U. S. Air Force from 1965-1969.  Jim was born and raised in Gary, IN.  He joined the U. S. Air Force in June 1965 and it was during his military service that he ended up in Tucson.  He is married to Susan and they have 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.  Jim and Susan will be celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary in December 2019.  Jim currently enjoys the outdoors, playing golf, fishing, and supporting local firefighters and their families.  In his younger days, he enjoyed playing and coaching baseball, men & women’s fastpitch softball, basketball, and football.   

 Jim joined the Tucson Fire Department in July 1969 immediately following his honorable discharge from the military.  He progressed through the ranks and became an Assistant Fire Chief before retiring after 28-plus years of service.  Jim joined the Northwest Fire District as their Fire Marshal/Division Chief in 1997 and also served as the District’s Health & Safety Officer and Special Projects Chief until he retired in 2010.  Although it was not a childhood dream, being a firefighter turned into a career that he was passionate about even to this day.  Jim continues to work with area fire departments and non-profits by writing grants, and participating in various fundraising activities including the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation’s Fiesta de los Bomberos – Feast & Fairways Event.  

A major goal of the NFFF & GTFF is to reduce firefighter line of duty deaths.  More specifically, deaths caused by heart attacks, cancer, and suicide.  Heart attacks are responsible for nearly half of all line-of-duty deaths.  Cancer is rapidly growing and is projected to become the leading cause.  More firefighters commit suicide than are actually dying fighting fires. 

 Challenges include getting all firefighters, career & volunteer, in shape to be able to perform the rigorous physical demands of the job.  Providing adequate protection for firefighters to address cancer concerns.  Getting firefighters to get checked for various cancers and then following through on treatment.  Overcoming the stigma and barriers of seeking mental health counseling for post-traumatic stress, depression, and other pressures caused by the daily exposure to traumatic situations involving illness, death, and injuries, especially to young children.  

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