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In their ongoing effort to better serve the community, many of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department personnel have worked to receive advance training and certifications in many different areas of fire and rescue.
"There is a high level of training throughout the valley," said Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Tim Hay. "It makes us a better department, more knowledgeable."
For instance, wild land fires are of particular concern since the city faces so much open land.
"You have to have what's called a 'red card' to do wild fires on state or Federal land," said Hay. Hay, Kaylie Fraiser, Embrett Fossum and Ryan Metcalf completed a 40-hour wild land fire course, while Tim Spek and Cory Taylor took an advanced course.
"We learned to work bigger fires," said Taylor, firefighter/EMT/engineer for Saratoga. "I have seen some pretty crazy stuff. The training will help tremendously."
Taylor mentioned the Mercer fire last year, saying that was just one example of the many wild land fires the department has faced.
"It will be a very beneficial thing to the city," he said of the training. ¬
Rick Scott, Chad Pate, Darren Wright, Robb Rowley, Tim Spek, and Patrick Cullen completed a 45-hour apparatus driver operator certification.
"It is a lot more than pushing buttons and pushing levers," said Cullen. "An engineer is responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle."
He said this included such things as the engine, pump equipment, as well as operating the engine on site at a fire.
Cullen also joined Spek in a pre-hospital trauma life support course. "It provided an advanced overview of trauma injury," said Cullen. "Individual care for pre-hospital or in the field care."
Hay and Fossum received certifications in hazardous materials awareness and operations as well. Hay explained much of their course had to do with containment, or "diking and damming," as well as prevent of contamination and decontamination of personnel.
And while it seems out of place at this time of year, Dawnya Dekarver, Robb Rowley, Patrick Cullen, Bryan Miner, Dan Lincoln, Brian MacNeil, Cory Taylor, Darren Wright, and Chad Pate certified on ice rescues.
"We have just about the whole left shoreline of the lake," said Cullen. He said they often see two or three cases a year where a cross-country skier or other individual gets into trouble out on the lake.
"We had to call in Utah County Search and Rescue before," Cullen said. "While they will still be called out to respond, our response time will be quicker."
Several professional development and instructor courses and certifications were also completed by Hay and his staff. For instance, Chad Pate, Embrett Fossum, Tim Hay, Robb Rowley, and Darren Wright completed a 16-hour Instructor I class to better teach other personnel.
Hay took part in a seven-part professional development series offered through the Emergency Management Institute. Rick Scott and Darren Wright also completed a 40-hour Fire Inspector I class.
"The more you learn, the better fire fighter you become," said Taylor. "You can also help train others coming up."
"Everyone takes a course here or there just to improve themselves," said Hay.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Cedar Fort
Rodeo royalty chosen -- Braving cold wet weather to compete for Cedar Fort Civic Improvement Association Rodeo Royalty honors, a talented court of poised riders were crowned Saturday in the Cedar Fort Arena.
Topping the queen competition for girls 11-16 years old were Queen Kelsey Frampton, First Attendant Katie Pace, and Second Attendant Kandice Black. Samantha Jackman won Miss Congeniality queen honors.
Princess winners (contestants 10 and under) were Princess Lindsey Peterson, First Attendant Alexa Smith, Second Attendant Chauncey Zebley, and Miss Congeniality princess Haylee Walk.
Stick-horse Princess crowns for the youngest competitors went to McKayde Davis, Nevaeh Zitting, Addalynn DeHeer, Reagan Walk, Megan Busch, and Jenna Peterson. The royalty will reign over Cedar Fort's July 24 festivities, riding in the parade at noon and in the rodeo that afternoon.
Saratoga Springs
Restrictions imposed -- In order to conserve one of the most precious resources, the city of Saratoga Springs is restricting landscape watering to only the hours of 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Anyone watering earlier than 6 p.m. or later than 10 a.m. could be issued a citation. For questions regarding landscape watering, please call 801-766-6509.
City plea -- Due to sewer back-up problems, the Saratoga Springs city staff would like to remind residents not to put the following in drains or toilets: baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, hair, and grease. For questions, please contact Cody Carter, sewer supervisor, at 691-8488.
Orem Summerfest -- Orem's annual celebration to kick off the summer is Friday and Saturday, at Orem City Center Park, 300 E. Center Street. Events include live entertainment, children's crafts, boutique booths, carnival rides, food booths and many other activities. The Children's Parade will be on June 14 at 7 p.m. followed by the Grand Parade, and culminating with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. For more information on this year's Summerfest, go online to http://summerfest.orem.org/ ¬ |
