Arizona

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Arizona’s weather is defined by dramatic contrasts and a unique desert climate. Summers are scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, especially in the southern regions, while winters are mild and inviting, averaging 60°F to 70°F. The state is known for monsoon season from June to September, bringing sudden thunderstorms, flash floods, and dust storms, alongside the occasional wildfire.
  
  Heat
  
  Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during peak heat, and never leave children or pets in vehicles.
  
  Wildfires
  
  Wildfires are common from May through July, particularly in dry grasslands and mountain areas. Residents should follow fire restrictions and be prepared for possible evacuations. Having a 72-hour emergency kit and an evacuation plan is essential for safety.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Sierra Vista
  
  Sierra Vista is adjacent to Fort Huachuca, a U.S. Army installation specializing in unmanned aircraft systems training, military intelligence, and cybersecurity. Commuting from Sierra Vista to Fort Huachuca is often less than 15 minutes.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Fort Huachuca
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
  
  Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to Fort Huachuca.

  • Fort Huachuca offers a variety of amenities, including a commissary, exchange, and numerous Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. These two child development centers, arts and crafts programs, bowling, a library, an auto hobby shop, a recreation center, a golf course, a gym, tennis courts, a swimming pool, mini golf, go-karts, and outdoor activities such as fishing. Outdoor Recreation features picnic pavilions, camping areas, and an RV park, and the Eifler Fitness Center provides sports facilities and fitness equipment. For the most updated information on the Fort Huachuca MWR facilities and services > visit Ft Huachuca MWR

   

   
• Getting Around
  Getting around Sierra Vista is primarily car-dependent, with well-paved roads and easy access to major routes like Highway 90 and 92. Watch for military base entry rules near Fort Huachuca, occasional dust storms reducing visibility, and wildlife crossings, especially at dawn and dusk.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  The Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center at Fort Huachuca provides comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
• Critters & Wildlife
  Arizona is home to a variety of wildlife, including venomous creatures like rattlesnakes, scorpions, and the aggressive Gila monster. Ticks are present, especially in forested areas. Compared to Canada, Arizona’s desert climate supports a greater number of reptiles and insects, so routine pest control is often recommended to manage scorpions, termites, and other pests that thrive in the dry heat.
• Children's Education
  There are several public schools along with a few charter schools within a 25-mile radius of Sierra Vista.
  
  Sierra Vista Unified School District
  Fort Huachuca Accommodation School District which primarily caters to military families
  Palominas Elementary School District - Serving the Hereford area near Sierra Vista, this district includes two elementary schools and a preschool.
  
  Charter Schools:

  • Center for Academic Success (Sierra Vista Elementary, Middle and High Schools)
  • American Leadership Academy – Sierra Vista (Grades 7–12)

  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  
  Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location.
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The Arizona Department of Transportation provides guidelines for transferring out-of-state titles and licenses. Arizona offers a "Real ID" compliant driver's license, which can be used for federal identification purposes.