Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Jesse Morales is the Fire Chief in two cities, in two countries
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Jesse Morales is the Fire Chief in two cities, in two countries
Good morning, it’s Wednesday February 17th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more.
Today - We’re highlighting Jesse Morales who is the fire chief in two cities, in two countries. Naco, Arizona in The United States and Naco, Sonora in Mexico.
Before we begin, some local history.
In 1886 Isabella Greenway was born. She is best known as the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, and as the founder of the Arizona Inn of Tucson. She was also a bridesmaid at the wedding of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262.
Now, our feature story.
Jesse Morales is the fire chief in two cities, in two countries.
But for the 45-year-old Morales, being fire chief in Naco, Arizona and Naco, Sonora, in Mexico, just seemed like a natural fit.
It all began when Morales’ grandfather began serving with Naco Fire in Arizona in 1959. Morales was taught about the fire service and as a teenager he began helping out at the fire station.
He said that back in the day they were one of the only fire departments that would respond to Naco, Sonora.
Over the years and after working with his grandfather, Morales formed relationships with different fire chiefs and mayors in the Mexican border town of about 6,400 people.
He described a time in Mexico during which fire chiefs served at the will of whichever political party was in power.
And when Naco, Sonora, Mayor Andrea Ramos was elected about three years ago, she began introducing changes slowly. One of them was the creation of a fire board that would be responsible for naming the town’s fire chief.
In November, Ramos asked Morales if he would consider working for her as the fire chief in the 13-man volunteer department.
The challenges Morales was faced with had little to do with the physical task of driving back and forth between the two Nacos and everything to do with a department on the Mexican side that was in dire need of working equipment from water hoses to fire trucks.
The firefighters — known as “bomberos” in Spanish — didn’t even have uniforms.
Morales’ first order of business when he took the job was to appoint a deputy fire chief. He chose 31-year-old firefighter Francisco Flores.
On his first day he did an inspection, and said that they were basically starting from scratch.
And he wasn’t kidding.
When he arrived they had about four 50-foot hoses that leaked more water than came out of the actual nozzle. They had one truck that leaked, a truck that was broken, and a truck that hadn’t been serviced in a year.
Other fire departments in the county pitched in with monumental donations of equipment and even fire trucks, Morales said. He said Bisbee Fire, Fry Fire District and the San Jose Fire District helped immensely.
Even though many of the pieces of donated equipment are outdated, Morales said they would be welcomed at the Naco, Sonora, Fire Department.
Deputy Chief Flores, who actually helped recruit Morales, said one of the reasons he wanted Morales as the fire chief in his town is because he knew Morales could get things done. And he was right. Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living.
Now, we’d like to highlight the annual Chocolate Tasting fundraiser by the Friends of Copper Queen Library, which has gone virtual this year!
Brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. Voted Best of Cochise County 2020, ApexNetwork provides exceptional care to the Sierra Vista and Benson communities. Choose ApexNetwork for all of your physical therapy needs. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.
Though the annual, in–person Chocolate Tasting fundraiser by the Friends of Copper Queen Library is a no–go, people can still support the non–profit by ordering treats from See’s Candies through the end of the month.
To give back to all the healthcare workers at the Copper Queen Community Hospital who have been working overtime to care for residents during the pandemic, people can also send candy directly to them!
Though the event could not proceed in its usual in-person format, the most important thing is to “maintain a connection to the community” in the event’s 30th year and remind local residents what the library still had to offer.
Until the end of the month you can visit bisbeechocolatetasting.com/ to place an order.
Next, an upcoming event in our community that you should know about -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. Today, Cochise College is hosting a free virtual lecture called Fry Pioneer Cemetery. It starts at noon, and is an hour long. You’ll get a chance to learn the history of the early settlers who founded the Fry Pioneer Cemetery back in 1919. You can sign up at cochise.edu under the spring 2021 virtual brown bag lecture section.
Before we go, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of Catherine Christine Maxine Bean. Catherine passed away at the age of 23. She was a mother, a daughter, a girlfriend and a friend. Catherine leaves behind her daughter Kara, her parents, her brothers, uncles, and her boyfriend. She was born at Phoenix Children's Hospital three and a half months early weighing only 1 pound and 14.8 ounces, but she grew up to be a beautiful and strong young woman. Catherine was a proud Girl Scout, a great bowler, she enjoyed choir. She graduated from Buena High School in 2017. Catherine was a friend to many and she had a natural ability to make friends easily. Even Catherine’s neighbors really adored her. No words can say enough except that she was loved and will be missed deeply. Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember Catherine’s life.
Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Thursday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.
Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
View all episodes
By Herald/Review Media
5
11 ratings
Good morning, it’s Wednesday February 17th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more.
Today - We’re highlighting Jesse Morales who is the fire chief in two cities, in two countries. Naco, Arizona in The United States and Naco, Sonora in Mexico.
Before we begin, some local history.
In 1886 Isabella Greenway was born. She is best known as the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, and as the founder of the Arizona Inn of Tucson. She was also a bridesmaid at the wedding of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262.
Now, our feature story.
Jesse Morales is the fire chief in two cities, in two countries.
But for the 45-year-old Morales, being fire chief in Naco, Arizona and Naco, Sonora, in Mexico, just seemed like a natural fit.
It all began when Morales’ grandfather began serving with Naco Fire in Arizona in 1959. Morales was taught about the fire service and as a teenager he began helping out at the fire station.
He said that back in the day they were one of the only fire departments that would respond to Naco, Sonora.
Over the years and after working with his grandfather, Morales formed relationships with different fire chiefs and mayors in the Mexican border town of about 6,400 people.
He described a time in Mexico during which fire chiefs served at the will of whichever political party was in power.
And when Naco, Sonora, Mayor Andrea Ramos was elected about three years ago, she began introducing changes slowly. One of them was the creation of a fire board that would be responsible for naming the town’s fire chief.
In November, Ramos asked Morales if he would consider working for her as the fire chief in the 13-man volunteer department.
The challenges Morales was faced with had little to do with the physical task of driving back and forth between the two Nacos and everything to do with a department on the Mexican side that was in dire need of working equipment from water hoses to fire trucks.
The firefighters — known as “bomberos” in Spanish — didn’t even have uniforms.
Morales’ first order of business when he took the job was to appoint a deputy fire chief. He chose 31-year-old firefighter Francisco Flores.
On his first day he did an inspection, and said that they were basically starting from scratch.
And he wasn’t kidding.
When he arrived they had about four 50-foot hoses that leaked more water than came out of the actual nozzle. They had one truck that leaked, a truck that was broken, and a truck that hadn’t been serviced in a year.
Other fire departments in the county pitched in with monumental donations of equipment and even fire trucks, Morales said. He said Bisbee Fire, Fry Fire District and the San Jose Fire District helped immensely.
Even though many of the pieces of donated equipment are outdated, Morales said they would be welcomed at the Naco, Sonora, Fire Department.
Deputy Chief Flores, who actually helped recruit Morales, said one of the reasons he wanted Morales as the fire chief in his town is because he knew Morales could get things done. And he was right. Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living.
Now, we’d like to highlight the annual Chocolate Tasting fundraiser by the Friends of Copper Queen Library, which has gone virtual this year!
Brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. Voted Best of Cochise County 2020, ApexNetwork provides exceptional care to the Sierra Vista and Benson communities. Choose ApexNetwork for all of your physical therapy needs. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.
Though the annual, in–person Chocolate Tasting fundraiser by the Friends of Copper Queen Library is a no–go, people can still support the non–profit by ordering treats from See’s Candies through the end of the month.
To give back to all the healthcare workers at the Copper Queen Community Hospital who have been working overtime to care for residents during the pandemic, people can also send candy directly to them!
Though the event could not proceed in its usual in-person format, the most important thing is to “maintain a connection to the community” in the event’s 30th year and remind local residents what the library still had to offer.
Until the end of the month you can visit bisbeechocolatetasting.com/ to place an order.
Next, an upcoming event in our community that you should know about -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. Today, Cochise College is hosting a free virtual lecture called Fry Pioneer Cemetery. It starts at noon, and is an hour long. You’ll get a chance to learn the history of the early settlers who founded the Fry Pioneer Cemetery back in 1919. You can sign up at cochise.edu under the spring 2021 virtual brown bag lecture section.
Before we go, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of Catherine Christine Maxine Bean. Catherine passed away at the age of 23. She was a mother, a daughter, a girlfriend and a friend. Catherine leaves behind her daughter Kara, her parents, her brothers, uncles, and her boyfriend. She was born at Phoenix Children's Hospital three and a half months early weighing only 1 pound and 14.8 ounces, but she grew up to be a beautiful and strong young woman. Catherine was a proud Girl Scout, a great bowler, she enjoyed choir. She graduated from Buena High School in 2017. Catherine was a friend to many and she had a natural ability to make friends easily. Even Catherine’s neighbors really adored her. No words can say enough except that she was loved and will be missed deeply. Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember Catherine’s life.
Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Thursday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.
Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.