A newly formed nonprofit organization based in Rio Rico, Arizona, is tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing emergency services worldwide: the severe lack of essential equipment and training for first responders in underserved communities.
The Public Safety Global Alliance (PSGA), established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in March 2024, has rapidly expanded its operations to deliver critical medical supplies, firefighting equipment, and hands-on training to emergency personnel across international borders.
“As a career firefighter, I’ve seen firsthand that firefighters are often the first to arrive at an emergency and the last to leave. Without the proper resources, communities suffer, and dedicated professionals cannot provide the critical care they’re passionate about delivering,” said José Malki Higuera, CEO of PSGA and a veteran firefighter who leads the organization alongside Vice President Maritza Higuera and Director of Development Stephanie Lopez.
The organization’s impact became evident during its June 2025 missions to Mazamitla, Jalisco and Chavinda, Michoacán in Mexico. Teams delivered six pallets of medical equipment including IVs, catheters, colostomy bags, wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen tanks, along with 100 fire extinguishers of various types and essential protective gear. More than 70 first responders and firefighters received training in Mazamitla, while the Chavinda visit established groundwork for future collaborative efforts with local officials.
Beyond equipment distribution, PSGA has invested heavily in youth education and community engagement. The organization supported firefighter summer camps across Santa Cruz County, Arizona, partnering with Nogales Fire, Rio Rico Fire, and Tubac Fire departments. A two-week STEM-focused safety education program in June 2025 reached 64 local students, introducing them to potential careers in public safety.
The nonprofit’s educational initiatives extended to a collaboration with M&M Family Orchard, where 40 students participated in a week-long STEM safety education camp that combined scientific experiments with practical safety awareness. In July 2025, PSGA’s Nogales Blitz School Give-Back Program distributed school supplies to over 600 children throughout Santa Cruz County.
Recognition for the organization’s work has come from multiple sources. PSGA hosted the Global Firefighter of the Year Awards 2025 to honor exceptional public safety professionals. The organization also received the Peace Medal at the Mexican Senate from Fundacion Honoris Causa and recognized the Nogales Culture Arts Committee for their humanitarian contributions, particularly acknowledging the cultural symbol “Venado de Esperanza” (Hope Deer).
At a recent Nogales city council meeting, a presenter noted that PSGA has “expanded its reach globally” and has been “instrumental in providing essential medical and fire equipment to communities in need, including those in Mexico,” highlighting the organization’s collaborative approach with local departments.
The need for such interventions remains acute. Many first responders operate in regions devastated by natural disasters, conflict, or chronic underfunding, often lacking basic medical supplies, firefighting equipment, or emergency tools. PSGA’s approach combines equipment delivery with comprehensive training programs, ensuring communities can effectively utilize donated resources.
Looking ahead, the organization seeks support for upcoming initiatives including firefighter training in Nayarit, Mexico scheduled for October 2025, an awards ceremony in Mexico City planned for December 2025, and continued expansion of summer fire programs and youth camps.
The organization operates on a donation-driven model, with contributions directly funding the purchase of medical supplies, fire extinguishers, hoses, and other critical gear while enabling on-the-ground training programs. As PSGA continues to build partnerships across borders, its work demonstrates how targeted interventions can strengthen emergency response capabilities in communities that need them most.
For more information about Public Safety Global Alliance Inc. or to make a donation, visit https://www.publicsafetyglobalalliance.org/.
