Another day at the Office

Thanks to the men and Women of the West Valley City Fire and Police Departments.

A Day in the Life

A Day in the Life,

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a firefighter would be like? Most of us think about these men and women, sitting at a fire station waiting for a call to come in so they’ll have something to do. I remember as a young boy going to visit the fire station with my class from school. It was to small station that was operated by volunteers from our local community. That visit didn’t change my perception as to what they did. A year or so later my father saw smoke rising into the sky, a mile or so from where we lived. We climbed into his car and drove to the scene. We arrived about the same time that the firemen did. I watched as they pulled hose and began to put water onto what was now an inferno. A single engine with two or three volunteers, more and more volunteers began to arrive and soon had the inferno under control and out. From watching these men work I knew event at that young age there was more to it than simply waiting for a call to come in. I began asking a few questions about fire fighters. To my delight I found that my family had a great heritage in the fire service. My mother told me that almost all of her brothers were volunteers with the Heber City Fire Department, in fact my grandfather had actually been the Chief. I looked at my grandfather and uncles in a whole new light. As a youth I was anxious to hear the stories they would tell, I’m sure that these tales got bigger and better every time they were retold. None the less they were still great! I have found that the trend of telling the tales is still a fun way to learn about fire fighters and what they do, and yes they continue to grow in legend and lore each time they are told. Like a fine wine they get better with time.

I thought it would be interesting to share some stories from the life of a firefighter. To give you a glimpse in to the day to day activities that these men and women go through. To let you see how fire fighters are hired and trained. To let you see a day in the life. So check back often as we will compile these stories and update them here.

Thanks to everyone,

remember Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!

Where did you park the car??part II

Watch this video where West Valley Fire and Police work to get the driver out of the car, and make sure the house is safe. Thanks to WVCFD, WVCPD and our great building inspectors.

"Theres a Storm Brewing"

We have a winter storm that's on the way.  It is anticipated to arrive in Northern Utah in the late afternoon hours of Friday.  This storm will be brief but intense with snow accumulations in the valleys in addition to the mountain areas. 


Everybody, Please be careful.


remember  Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!    Fire Marshal Bob

West Valley City Fire Department promotes!

Two veterans of the West Valley City Fire Department have moved up the ladder. (pun intended)


Engineer Kelly Rigby was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Captain Kelly Rigby. New Captain at station 72 C platoon















Senior Fire Fighter "BJ" White was promoted to Engineer

Engineer "BJ" White. New engineer at station 72 B Platoon















Congratulations in your new responsibilities and assignments

A Few Fresh Faces

West Valley City Fire has a few new faces in the department. 

From left to right. FF Williams, FF Petersen,  FF Wiseman,  FF/PM House

Welcome Aboard!

Salt Lake Valley Fire and EMS crews get valuable training for mass casualty incidents.

West Valley City...

 

 

Fire crews from around the Salt Lake Valley met together to test their readiness to respond to a mass casualty incident.  One of the scenarios was held at the Utah cultural celebration center in West Valley City. In this scenario crews had the task of initiating the incident command system, triaging/rapidly evaluating over 50 patients, treating them and getting them to area hospitals. " This was a great drill... showing us just where our crews are at in understanding how to handle a mass casualty situation" said Chief John Evans. From here crews will critique them selves and be able to address any areas that they need to improve in. This is also a great opportunity to see how the many different agencies will work together in the heat of battle.  

As always.....Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!
Fire Marshal Bob

The Great Utah Shake OUT

Watch this infomative video on an earthquake along the Wasatch Front.


Remember     BE Smart.... BE Safe... BE READY

                                                          Fire Marshal Bob

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!!

This is the front of one of our new trading cards. come this saturday as we unveil the group!

THATS RIGHT IT IS AMOST TIME FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK! PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 15 AT STATION 74. (5545 WEST 3100 SOUTH) FOR FUN, FOOD, AND DEMONSTRATIONS BY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE OPEN HOUSE WILL RUN FROM 10:00 AM TIL 4:00 PM

BRING YOUR FAMILY! BRING YOUR FAMILIES FAMILY!

REMEMBER BE SMART... BE SAFE... BE READY!

                 FIRE MARSHAL BOB

Fire Prevention week open house

Join us October 15th at station 74 for an open house. the open house runs from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM,
We wil have refreshments, Demonstrations, activities for Families and of course FUN!!! hers a link with a little more info.

Open house


tell your Friends........heck Bring your Friends

Remember

Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!

Fire Marshal Bob

September 11 ten year anniversary

What were you doing ten years ago? Do you remember where you were? What you were doing? What your thoughts were then? What are they today?...........Whats your Story?

Please leave us a comment.

Thanks  Fire Marshal Bob

Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!

Hot August Afternoon

A shift quickly over comes this room and content fire with an aggressive interior attack. thanks go to WVCPD for protecting our crews on this busy road. We couldnt do it with out you!




Hope you enjoy this video!

Remember      Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!        Fire Marshal Bob

More Mayhem! Car runs into house in West Valley City

Wow, More mayhem. We are just happy that no one was seriously injured in this wreck. Thanks goes to West Valley PD and Dave from the building department as our crews stabilized the home.



Remember everyone,

Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!                 Fire Marshal Bob

Bumper cars are for Lagoon not I-215

Semi rolls on south bound I-215





Drive Carefully!

Remember...........  Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!

                                            Fire Marshal Bob

West Valley City Fire is hosting another CERT Class

Have you ever wanted to be CERT trained? Have you recieved the training but its been a while? come join us as we teach the new curriculam for CERT. Classes start September 8th. Pass it along and bring a friend

You can get more information or sign up at this link.

WEST VALLEY CERT CLASS

Thanks Fire Marshal Bob

We survived the fireworks.... Now what

It is hard to believe that July is nearly done. As Fire Marshal I was wondering what your thoughts were concerning the new fireworks laws? In a quick look at calls for service, the weekend of July fourth was much much busier than last year, the twenty-fourth was about the same as last year.

My office has received a lot of calls about the new law/ordinance. Here are a few of the themes for example.
1 Can we start a petittion to change it back?
2 My neighbors are lighting fireworks at 1:00 in the morning, what are you going to do about it?
3 Why can't we shoot fire works all year round?
4 These are legal? Your joking right?


You get the picture, some for it some against it.
I would like to hear your thoughts and concerns. Please leave me a comment here on the site.

Thanks for being great!

As always Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!
Fire Marshal Bob

July is almost gone

Hi Everybody,I hope you had a great Holiday weekend. Our crews were sure busy. Here is a little footage of one of the calls we went on this weekend.



As Always
Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!

Fire Marshal Bob

Ah Good Old Summertime

Summer is finally here. Please take time to watch this short video on firework safety



Pass it along to everyone you know in Utah.

As always Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!!!
Fire Marshal Bob

Have a great fourth of July

Hi everyone, just wanted to stop and wish everyone a great holiday weekend. Especially as we celebrate our nations birth. Please remember to be safe in what ever activity your doing. Wether it's boating, hiking, fireworks or the ever popular "Griswold" road trip.

Remember to Be Smart, Be Safe and for sure BE READY!

Fire Marshal Bob

West Valley City Fire...Another Day at the Office

Check out this rollover on I 215



Remember, BE Smart... BE Safe... BE READY!
Fire Marshal Bob

West Valley City Fire HOT TOPICS...at it again

West Valley Fire Fighters had another busy weekend. Bshift fire fighters did a great job stopping this fire before it extended to an adjacent building.




            Remember        Be Smart.... Be Safe... BE READY!         FIRE MARSHAL BOB

New Fireworks rules go into effect

Fire works………there’s a new law for Utah.

Hello everybody, Fire Marshal Bob here. I want to take just a minute to inform you of a new law that effects the ways we can celebrate our Nations and heritage with fireworks. The legislature has not only increased the types of fireworks we can use but they have allowed us to shoot them from June 26th through July 26th.

First let me remind you that legal fireworks are still very dangerous and the effects of fireworks can cost all of us un-necessary dollars. Did you know that from 2002 and 2006 nearly half a million was the dollar amount in property loss due to fireworks. That doesn’t begin to account for the monies from our tax dollars that were spent to combat these fires, or the money spent on medical bills from burns, amputations and other mutilations caused by fireworks. OK enough of the gruesome stuff.

Here are some good tips to remember as we get ready for our celebrations.

• Purchase fireworks from reliable, licensed fireworks dealers. Read all instructions to reduce the chances of a destructive fire or debilitating injury. Follow all safety guidelines exactly.
• Children should not handle fireworks. You must be at least 16 years of age to handle or light fireworks. Adults are to supervise any activity that includes fireworks.
• Never let children handle, play with or light fireworks. Only knowing and clear-headed adults should handle fireworks.
• Adults should never use alcohol or drugs or be impaired while engaged in handling, using, placing or lighting fireworks.
• New aerial type fireworks are now lawful. Aerial devices, also known as “multiple tube”, “repeater”, or “cake” fireworks often look like miniature professional displays and can travel high into the air, as much as 150 feet.
• These Fireworks need sufficient space from trees, carports, structures, powerlines, or other high or low obstacles. Aerial or “cake” fireworks need at least a 30 foot clearance around on the ground and at least 150 foot clearance in the air.
• Things that are still not allowed are fire crackers, M-80’s, cherry bombs, bottle rockets, roman candles, single or reloadable mortars, and ground salutes. Remember that all State and Federal laws must be adhered to! Please use commonsense whenever you are around fireworks. Here are a few of Fire Marshal Bobs don’ts! Don’t change or alter the fireworks in any way! Don’t light them near or under a carport! Don’t light them indoors! Don’t carry fireworks in your pockets! Don’t Shoot fireworks in windy conditions!
• Keep a bucket of water or running hose nearby during the time of lighting and disposing of fireworks and in case of an emergency.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks. Keep all unused fireworks 30 feet away from the shooting area.

• Make sure other people are out of range at a reasonable distance before lighting fireworks. Do not point or throw fireworks at people, animals or where they may not be under proper control. And remember, sparklers burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. They are extremely deceptive in nature and can be an extraordinarily dangerous device in the hands of children and can cause serious burns and injuries if not cared for properly.

• Light fireworks one at a time. Do not attempt to light multiple fireworks at any time. Do not relight a firework whose fuse has burned away. Do not attempt to repair broken fireworks. Soak fireworks that did not ignite in a bucket of water. Once the firework is lit, get away quickly to a safe distance.

• Keep clear of the firework. Never place a body part above or around a burning firework. Never pickup a burning firework. Never look into the tube or stay close to the burning end of the device. Never hold a lit firework in your hand.

• Use caution with animals. Excitement, noise and lights can cause fear and stress.

Alright, enough is enough. Now lets get ready to have a great summer season!

As always………Be Smart….. Be Safe….. BE READY!
Fire Marshal Bob

Hot Hot Hot

Join west valley Fire fighters as they train. This video captures "Flame over" a condition that is as dangerous as it looks. Even this controlled burn can be hazardous. Battalion chief Chris Biechner said " this type of training is designed to give firefighters the experience of a flameover... its important that they are able to recognize this hazardous condition before they commit themselves too far"

West Valley City Fire crews are committed to excellence and providing the best service along the Wasatch front...... Enjoy the Show!






Remember..... BE Smart....Be Safe....BE READY!
FIRE MARSHAL BOB

I.C.E. and The Vial Of Life

Join me, Fire Marshal Bob, As I discuss two simple yet important safety programs. first I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) A simple program to help responders make important contact with people important to you. Then stay tuned for "the Vial Of life" An easy way to help emergency responders know your medical history better and easier that during a stressful emergency. I hope you enjoy the short video.




Thanks for watching I'd love to get some feedback!

Remember      Be Safe... BE READY!      Fire Marshal Bob

West Valley Fire Fighters test for Engineer

12 West Valley Fire Fighters tested for the Engineers position in the Fire Department.

Candidates went through a rigorous testing process

Candidate Scott Byrne explains actions to evaluators

Candidate checking his calcualtions

The Engineer is responsible to take care of the equipment, make sure the crew gets to and from calls safely, and of course they get to pump all the water at the fire scene. Generally the Engineer is second in command of the crew and when the captain is off the engineer runs the show.

Congratulations to those that participated.

START SIMPLE....FINISH STRONG

I am often asked, where should I begin with emergency preparedness? That is a great question to ask. I love when I do get that question because it means that you are at least thinking about it.
The answer to the question is this. Just get started!
When the terrorist attacks on September 11 happend, we as a nation were overwhelmed at the daunting task that was before us. Where do we begin? How do we overcome this? It's too big to handle. But we as a nation did overcome it. How? We just got started! We took the whole picture and broke it into smaller pieces. This made it possible to do the work that needed to be done.
Members of Utah task force one were back at ground zero within a few short days. The rubble pile they faced was huge. Yet they took small areas and worked on them. It made a diffence. My group was there 60 days after September 11 and the rubble Pyle had been reduced to ground level. It was a completely different ball game from when Utah task force 1 was there, but there were still 60 floors below grade to work on. Bit by bit layer by layer, objective by objective the problems were overcome. The people of Japan are going through this same process.
It is not any different when we consider our own emergency preparedness. If we look at it, it can seem overwhelming. But if we will just take a moment to discuss things with our families or organizations. To prioritize and work on the simple things first, we will find that the more complex and costly things will fall into place. Talk with your friends and co workers, get ideas from them. Don't let the discussion die. Don't get caught up in the hype or doomsday mentality. You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish one thing at a time. If you start simple you truly can finish strong!

Don't be afraid........ Be prepared


Remember

BE Smart... BE Safe... BE READY

Fire Marshal Bob

Emergency Preparedness....What are you doing about it?

With all of the events going on in the world emergency preparedness seems to be a buzz word and topic. So with that said. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?

Statistics show that if you haven't acted by now in some way, you probably wont. Don't let that happen to you and your family. Resolve to act today! Its really quite simple. Start by talking with your family about what you would do if an emergency happened. Things such as how would you contact each other, what would you eat , drink and so on. when you do this talk about the solutions. Make a plan and then.........DO IT!

Remember

BE Smart...... BE Safe.... BE READY!

FIRE MARSHAL BOB

14 year old hit by vehicle while walking to school

Wes Valley City - 6000 west Wending lane
A 14 year old boy was hit by a car while walking to school. Fire crews were called to the scene of the accident. Due to the nature and the mechanism of the Injuries the youth was flown to Primary childrens medical center. West Vally City Police department is investigating the incident.

Bob Fitzgerald
XXX

Fatal accident on Redwood Road

Sunday March 13 2011 - West Valley City

Car Embedded into a UTA bus
Photo Courtesy West Valley City - Kevin Conde

 Fire crews from West Valley and South Salt lake responded to a report of car verses bus at about 3850 south redwood road Sunday morning.











When crews arrived they found that a car that was said to be traveling between 80 - 100 miles per hour had hit a UTA bus that was stopped at a bus stop. The two occupants of the car were dead at the scene and crews had to first extricate the vehicle from the bus and then extricate the victims from their vehicle. No one on the bus was injured.

After Crews Separated the Car from the bus, the grueling task of extricating the two victims from the car
Photo Courtesy West Valley City - Kevin Conde

BHM broadcast Earthquakes, Tsunamis...

Join Bob Fitzgerald and review the events of the recent disaster in Japan. Earthquake Tsunami, and Nuclear melt downs........could we survive something similar hear? I hope we never have to find out!

Remember

BE Smart... BE Safe... BE READY

Fire Marshal Bob

Time For Spring Cleaning

Hello everyone, its time once again to change our clocks, and check the batteries in our smoke detectors. While were at it lets take it one step further. Spring is upon us, there's  no better time to do a little spring cleaning. Take just a few minutes to look around your house and look for fire hazards. A good place to start is your utility room. Check around your furnace and water heater to make sure you dont have any combustibe materials such as papers, boxes or any thing that could catch on fire. A good rule of thumb is to keep any of those items at least 24 inches away. Next look in your garage. Check for any flamable liquids, gas, oil, and any old rags that may be lying around. Keep your garage organized, youd be amazed the difference that it will make from a fire safety standpoint. Not to mention you'll be able to find your tools when you need them. Finally test you Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide alarms. You'll rest easier knowng that they are ready and working for you.

We hope you have a wonderful Spring.

Remember..........BE Smart... BE Safe...  BE READY!

Fire Marshal Bob

Two West Valley City Firefighters receive employee of the month

Firefighter Paramedic Scott Pearson and Captain Brett Russell received West Valley City employee of the month. What warranted this award was their actions on Easter morning 2010.

The two had just finished a 48 hour shift and were on the way home to be with family. The weather on this Easter morning was stormy, so stormy in fact that there were several accidents on the highway. Both had taken a different than usual route home because of the traffic. Both Scott and Brett noticed a car that had spun off the on ramp and rolled. The driver of the vehicle had been ejected from her car. She suffered multiple life threatening injuries, including two fractured femurs. The two stopped to render aid, neither one had any of the equipment that they noramally use day to day as paramedics. They worked to make sure the patient could breath and gave critical care until Salt Lake City crews arrived and transported the patient. The two then drove home and spent eh day with their families. When they returned to work no stories of bravado were given, in fact no one in the department knew what had happened until 7 months later.
Battalion Chief Jeff Fox was working another incident on the I-215 corridor with Salt Lake City crews when Captain Clay Coles asked if Chief Fox knew the names of the two that helped earlier in the year. He  wanted to " thank them personally" because with out the efforts of these two unsung heroes this woman would have died. Chief Fox made some inquiries and found out who the responsible parties were. The pair were given the award in a city Council meeting held on March 1st 2011. We congratulate Scott and Brett for the award, and the way they represent themselves, their families and all of us..
This certainly was a job well done!

Fire Marshal Bob

Major Earthquake has hit Christchurch, New Zealand

Are you ready?

Fire Marshal Bob

Carbon Monoxide "The Silent Killer"

Seasons are changing and  with that change we as a fire departmetn often see an increase in Carobn Monoxide calls. With that in mind we would like to encourage each hosehold to have their funaces inpsected  to see if they are in good working order for the upcoming cold weather.

Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.
Safety tips

Carbon Monoxide safety tips

• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Call your local fire department’s non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO — only use outside.
•  
• Download these NFPA safety tips on Carbon Monoxide   

We hope you find these tiprs helpful,

Thank you for helping make our community safer!

Fire Marshal Bob

WEST VALLEY CITY FIRE - HOT TOPICS - HOME SAFETY INPECTIONS

Join Fire Marshal Bob as he discusses Home safety inspections. This brief live show will talk about things you can do as a family to make your home safe.




Enjoy pass it on and remember

Be Smart... Be Safe...  BE READY!!!

Fire Marshal Bob

WEST VALLEY CITY FIRE HOT TOPICS... HOUSE FIRE

Join Chief Bob Fitzgerald as he takes you behind the scenes of a recent house fire. The Family that lived in this home narrowly escaped.




Please pass this important safety message to everyone you can.

Thanks Fire Marshal Bob

BE Smart... BE Safe... BE READY!!!

WEST VALLEY AND SOUTH SALT LAKE FIREFIGHTERS QUICKLY HANDLE AN EARLY MORNING FIRE

WEST VALLEY CITY - 2398 Key street
Fire crews from West Valley and South Salt Lake quickly handled a fire that began in an attached shed. Firefighters arrived to find the shed well involved with fire. The quick action of the crew from engine 73 stoppd the progress of the fire from reaching to the living quarters of the duplex. Fire did get into the garage and did damage to the contents, mostly matresses that are aparently part of a home run business. Investigators began the task of sifting through the fire damage to determine the cause of the fire. We will update the article as soon as more information becomes available.

Fire Marshal Bob

BE SMART...BE SAFE... BE READY!!!

West Valley Family narrowly escapes as fire destroys home.

An early morning house fire in west valley City left a family homeless. The resident heard a "crackling noise" and got out of bed to investigate. She found smoke coming from one of the utility rooms. She quickly woke other family members to ge them out. One family member left the door to the room on fire open and it quickly spread through out the house. One young boy had to be pulled out of his window in order to get out. 

Captain Rob Huffman and engine 73 were the first to arrive. They could see the fire from a few blocks away. When fire crews arrived the house was well involved with smoke and flames coming from the front doors and windows as well as from the back of the home.. The decision for an offensive fire attack was made and crews were able to quickly gain control of this destructive fire. The fire is currently under investigation. Damage to the home is estimated to be about 100,000. Smoke detectors were present in the home, how ever it is not known if they activated.

FIRE MARSHAL BOB

BE SMART... BE SAFE... BE READY!!!

Exit Drills in the Home - Live in 25

Enjoy this safety video talking about exit drills in the home. Running time about 17:00 minutes




click on these links to see other great safety videos

BRAVEHAVEN LIVE


West Valley Fire Live


Be sure to pass this along to your friends and family.

Remember

BE Smart... BE Safe... BE READY!!!

FIRE MARSHAL BOB

LIVING ON SHAKEY GROUND PART VII

Part seven of our series, We hope you enjoy. Pass it along



Remember..... BE Smart.... Be Safe.... BE READY!!!

FIRE MARSHAL BOB

Living on Shakey Ground Part VI

Part six of our Earthquake safety program

Enjoy and pass it along

3 YEAR OLD CHILD SETS HOME ON FIRE WITH MATCHES

West Valley City...
A three year old girl set fire to her house with matches. "Fire and Smoke were billowing out of the basement when we arrived ." Stated Battalion Chief Dean Williams.

Fire crews began with a defensive attack, but quickly transitioned to an interior offensive attack to conquer the fire. Fortunately everyone got out of the home before it was too late. Another fortunate thing was that the doors from the basement to the upstairs were closed prevention the fire from racing up the stairs and involving that portion of the home, According to Fire Marshall Bob Fitzgerald. This is one type of fire that we do not want to see repeated.
In 2010 another child paying with a lighter lit her home on fire. She was trapped and succumbed to the smoke and intense heat.
These types of fire should never happen. They are 100% avoidable. " We are working diligently to put some educational programs together, but no program will work if responsible adults do not keep these items out of a childs hands or reach" said Chief Bob Fitzgerald.
We wouldn't think of leaving a loaded gun lying on the book table, yet we commonly see matches, and lighters in plain sight! Even when adults put them away the children invariably know right where they are and will get them for you if you ask.

Please pass this article on to everyone that has children.

"BE READY - BE SMART - BE SAFE"
                                                 FIRE MARSHALL BOB

LIVING ON SHAKEY GROUND PART V

Part Five of our earthquake safety program. Please pass it along.



We hope that everyone is getting prepared.

Thanks for watching ..... Fire Marshall Bob