Garden City Fire Board Meeting

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. August 18, 2016.  Follow-items were addressed.  The LDS Church occupancy in Garden City is 1200 people.  It was noted that ushers are being used to assist people to find seats.  Also, it was suggested that car counts be also taken to see how many cars are used compared with the number of individuals attending the meetings.

It was noted that the Raspberry Days Breakfast was down about 30 percent in attendance.  It was suggested that perhaps an advertisement about the breakfast could be placed on the fire truck at the parade to make sure people are aware of this particular activity.  The high school drill team did the majority of the work and handled the breakfast very well.  They did a good job.

The fireworks went well.  There were quite a few fireworks through town.  The County had placed signs saying fireworks were not allowed.  This probably stopped many people from setting off their own fireworks.  There was a grass fire in Bear Hollow on July 23.  They were able to put it out quickly.  The Boy Scout Camp was setting off illegal fireworks the Saturday night of Raspberry Days.  The fire chief confiscated the fireworks when he got there to stop this activity.

The fire building needs to be enlarged.  It was suggested that the current offices, training room and other space on the east side of the building be demolished.  A 40’x 60’ addition could be built in that area.  It would contain two stories with the training room being upstairs.  The main floor would contain the office area and house an extra bay for another fire truck.  The fire chief will present additional information at the next meeting concerning this item.

One of the outriggers on the ladder truck broke.  It will be fixed soon.  Brush truck 42 (white and red) is not performing as it should.  The chief has been looking into getting another truck to replace that one.  He is looking into several options. He thought he might get a new skid unit for about $10,000 and just transfer the equipment from the old truck to the new one.  He was also looking into getting a good 450 or 550 utility truck.  He thought that could be purchased for about $30,000.  Brush truck 43 is up and running again.

The chief reported that the firefighters had responded to two brush fires and three boat incidents—one with fatalities and two rescues.  Bear Lake helped with the search and recovery.  Marine 40 brought in the fatalities.  Chief Wahlberg suggested that radar and night vision equipment would be assets that could be used in the future.

One brush fire was in Bear Hollow and the other behind Pickleville Store.  An alarm from Lakota was called off.  Apparently, an individual there got caught in a propeller and was cut badly—probably a two month recovery from this accident.

It was noted that there were 21 fire alarms, 14 Carbon monoxide alarms, 14 medical assists, 2 propane tanks, and 3 fires.  More than half of these responses were after midnight.

The firefighters will be cleaning up the borough pits at Swan Creek.  Chief Wahlberg was asked if the motors on the new boat were going to be replaced.  He noted that the boat seems to be performing well.  He reported that in rough waters, the motor shafts are shorter than desired, but will work.

Randall Knight noted that attendance at the Fire Board Meetings is the best had in several years.  He noted that Gary Points and Randall Knight have each missed one meeting.

Chief Wahlberg noted that he is taking applications for new volunteers.  If anyone is interested, please contact the Fire Chief.  They are in need of five or six more fire fighters in their ranks.