Spanish Fork Fire and EMS Department hosts swearing-in ceremony for new staff
- From left, Capt. Kristina Reid, Chief Eddie Hales, Deputy Chief Krista Horting and Fire Marshal Jason Turner talk after the swearing-in ceremony held Thursday, July 7, 2022.
- The new Spanish Fork Fire and EMS logo was revealed during a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
- Newly sworn-in paramedic Kelsie Christensen, left, waits as a family member joins her in the pinning ceremony at the Spanish Fork Fire Department Station 62 on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
- Five of the six newly hired Spanish Fork paramedics were able to attend their swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Photographed from left are Kelsie Christensen, Mitch Cowden, Brennen Chappell, Jessica Campbell and M’Lisa Hone.

Kelcie Hartley, Daily Herald file photo
From left, Capt. Kristina Reid, Chief Eddie Hales, Deputy Chief Krista Horting and Fire Marshal Jason Turner talk after the swearing-in ceremony held Thursday, July 7, 2022.
The Spanish Fork Fire and EMS department held a ceremony Thursday evening to receive its paramedic license, and to swear-in six new full-time paramedics and leadership personnel.
“Today marks a great milestone for Spanish Fork Fire & EMS,” Chief Eddie Hales said. “Having this license allows us to increase our level of service for the residents of Spanish Fork by offering a higher and more technical level of care.”
The paramedic license is from the Utah State Bureau of EMS. By elevating the department to paramedic status for ground transports, Spanish Fork’s EMS response is now able to provide advanced cardiac and critical care medicine, perform a higher level of trauma services and intubate patients, according to a Spanish Fork press release.
The Spanish Fork City Council had previously approved the hiring of 12 new full-time paramedics for the department. Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony was for the first six of the new hires. The other six will be hired in early 2023.
“Our goal with these paramedics is to have them respond to each medical call in the city,” Hales said. “In cases where a higher level of care is needed, paramedics will transport the patient to the hospital. In instances where an advanced EMT can take the call, the paramedics will be placed back in service.”

Kelcie Hartley, Daily Herald file photo
The new Spanish Fork Fire and EMS logo was revealed during a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
Hales added that the new level of staffing will allow the department to offer parademic service on “virtually every medical call” in the future.
Three other individuals were sworn into new positions, alongside the paramedics. Leadership roles went to newly appointed EMS Capt. Kristina Reid, Fire Marshal Jason Turner and Deputy Chief Krista Horting.
“I’m very grateful and excited to have Kristina Reid, Jason Turner, and Krista Horting in leadership roles in our department,” Hales said in a press release. “They each bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that have allowed us to qualify for the paramedic license as well as create our new Fire Prevention Bureau.”
Hales took a moment to congratulate Horting, specifically. They both applied to be fire chief when the position was open earlier this year. Hales added that looks forward to working with her to better the community.
“What’s so awesome about Krista is that she wanted to work for Spanish Fork so badly that she came back and applied for deputy chief,” Hales said. “For me as fire chief, to know she had the pride and courage to come here and work alongside me — is that we are going to do great things in the community. She’s going to take us to the next level and I’m so grateful for her being here.”

Kelcie Hartley, Daily Herald
Newly sworn-in paramedic Kelsie Christensen, left, waits as a family member joins her in the pinning ceremony at the Spanish Fork Fire Department Station 62 on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
Turner is now the city’s first full-time fire marshal. In the position, he will take a proactive approach to fire prevention and education. Having this position will help the department prevent incidents, in part by working to make homes and businesses safer through inspections and plan reviews, according to the release.
The department’s new Fire and EMS logo was revealed at the end of the ceremony. It now represents the change made in April — that the two departments would merge into one. Five individuals from within the Fire and EMS department helped design the logo.
“The dedication and sacrifice for Fire and EMS in the community of Spanish Fork started in 1908 and 1974,” Hales said. “Countless volunteers and hours of service by so many individuals have built the foundation for today’s department. Being elevated to paramedic status is as much a nod to those who paved the way as those who continue to serve, preserve and save.”

Five of the six newly hired Spanish Fork paramedics were able to attend their swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Photographed from left are Kelsie Christensen, Mitch Cowden, Brennen Chappell, Jessica Campbell and M'Lisa Hone.