In the wake of facing nearly $3.7 million in budget cuts, the Mesa Fire and Medical Department has developed a private/public partnership that allows businesses to sponsor messages on fire trucks and other department equipment to offset their budget loss.

According to the city, its fire and medical department hopes to raise $250,000 each year by offering business sponsorships on its over 25 fleet vehicles. Sponsor messages must be health and safety messages only with no sales, advertising or marketing-oriented messages allowed, according to the city. 

"The development of this private/public partnership was not only submitted as a concept to our city manager's office to offset our budget cuts but can lead us to having self-sufficient community education programs and will limit the impact on our operational and 911 response budgets," Deputy Chief Forrest Smith said in a press release. "We are proud and look forward to making it possible for local and national organizations and businesses to show their support for our community's safety by assisting us in supporting more empowered, informed, healthy, and safe Mesa citizens."

Sponsorships will range from $2,500 to $15,000 and the city also plans to have a series of trading cards that will feature department equipment and stations and include the business sponsor.