Don Jongewaard

Retiree, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department Don Jongewaard, former President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, served with the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department for more than 30 years. A trained firefighter and paramedic, Jongewaard promoted to Captain in 1998. In addition to his PFFA duties – representing more than 7,000 members statewide – Jongewaard served for more than a decade as Vice President of the Tempe Fire Fighters Local 493 chapter and as a union trustee.

 

He also founded and serves as Plan Administrator for the PFFA Healthcare Trust, which offers public safety active-duty members, retirees and their families a healthcare pension subsidy. During his career in Tempe, Jongewaard has been appointed to the City’s Diversity Steering Committee; the Citywide Recruitment Committee; Tempe’s Benefits Committee; Health Care Committee; Deferred Compensation Committee; and the City’s Labor Management Committee. In 2004, he was appointed to the Arizona Liquor Board by Gov. Janet Napolitano, where he served until 2008. An original member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Financial Corp Task Force, Johngewaard still serves in that capacity.

 

He is also a member of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement Systems Defined Contribution advisory committee A native of Long Beach, Jongewaard graduated the 84th Basic Fire Academy held by Rancho Santiago California Community College in 1990. He attended Chapman College, where he played baseball. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix in 2001. The father of two adult daughters, Jongewaard lives in Scottsdale with his wife, Nichole.