Garden City Fire Buys Rescue Boat

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 28, 2015.  In the March Board Meeting, a discussion was held concerning the purchase by the fire department of a boat for lake rescue work.  The Board members asked for additional information about this item and expressed their support of the idea.  A boat was found.  Each of the board members were contacted by e-mailed with the boat information, and the boat was purchased.  Since the Board members were not all together to take formal action on this purchase, a motion was made and passed in the current May 28^th meeting to purchase the boat and equipment with a maximum to be spent set at $30,000. 

The boat is currently being serviced.  It is getting a tune up, decals have been ordered, it will be painted with red stripes, a LED light bar has been ordered, sonar/radar will be added, new propellers are being installed, and basic medical equipment needed for water rescues will be put on board.  There is plenty of space at the back of the boat to set up a patient area.  There is an elevated platform there that will allow EMTs to take care of the patient while standing.

Chief Wahlberg noted that he had been in touch with The State Parks employees.  However, actual jurisdiction over the lake is placed with the County Sheriff’s Department.  The Sheriff’s Office does not have a boat.  Currently, the State Park Employees are responsible to enforce safety and compliance on the water.  They are not a rescuing organization.  They are willing to help as much as they can when there is a problem, and they have been asked by the Sheriff. 

Chief Wahlberg also is going to set up some boat training sessions so that the volunteer firemen will be prepared when the boat will be needed in an emergency situation.  The board will allow for rapid response, for fire suppression on the water, and for medical emergencies on the water.

A memorandum of understanding needs to be drafted including the three different groups—the Parks people, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Garden City Fire Department so that no one will over reach their responsibilities. Chief Wahlberg said he would work in getting such a document ready.

The Board Members noted that the EMS organization should also be included in the agreement.  If there are problems, the ambulance will be needed on the shore.  Also, all individuals that will be handling and working with the boat will need proper certification.

The Board also asked if ice rescue was being considered.  Chief Wahlberg said not at the present time.  He felt he needed to get everything else underway before going that direction.  It was noted that perhaps the budget could not currently cover everything that will be required for all the training and equipment needed.  Also, additional training may be difficult for many of the volunteers in addition to the required training to maintain their certification as a firefighter.  It will take additional time and effort.