About Us

Safe Shift was created in 2017 as a fundraising arm of the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation.  The trustees recognized a need to generate sustainable funding for the Health and Wellness programs for the firefighters and their families that serve their communities in southern Arizona.  All net sale proceeds from the store go directly to the Foundation.

Safe Shift sells a wide variety of inventory donated by families & businesses and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

“Have a Safe Shift” is the good luck phrase passed by one shift of firefighters to the next.

The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation works to ensure that all fire department personnel have a “safe shift” at home as well as while they are at work.

The Officers of the Board of Trustees

The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation Board of Trustees establishes policies and procedures, provides active and ongoing oversight of the fundraising activities, in order to maintain a stable, fiscally transparent, responsible and long-term organization.
The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation was founded in 2010 and is a 501-C(3) nonprofit corporation:  Tax ID #27-3155431.

Mike McKendrick

Chair

Assistant Chief, Tucson Fire Dept (Ret.)

G. Vernon Babilon

Treasurer

CEO, Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union

Heath  Evans

Vice-Chair

Assistant Chief, Tucson Fire Dept (Ret.)

Adam  Dellos

Community Liaison

CEO, Adam D Technologies

Amber Isselhard

Secretary

 Firefighter/Paramedic Family Member 

Rorie Johnston

Executive Director

Owner, Amapola Executive Services

In Memorium:

  Patty Vallance 2020

Patty Vallance quietly served Tucson and the fire-service community as a volunteer, supporter and behind-the-scenes fundraiser for various non-profit organizations. She was one of the driving forces behind the creation and operation of the Safe Shift Estate Sale Store which by the time of her passing had raised over $165,000 to benefit local firefighters and first responders. Patty authored a children’s book, “Born to Wear Blue,” which teaches youngsters about fire safety and using 911 during an emergency. Patty volunteered for more than 25 years, and received awards for her projects on local, state and national levels – including for work assisting families displaced by hurricanes Rita and Katrina. In 2012, she was honored by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, and named one of 13 Extraordinary Women for Women’s Philanthropy.