From Deseret News archives:
Things heat up for politicians
Corroon lugs hoses with colleagues in firefighting exercise
Even at 6 foot 2 and "something over 200 pounds," Corroon admitted he got a first-hand taste of how hard firefighters work. It was all part of the second "Fire School 101," an exercise held Saturday to educate the elected officials and policy makers who govern firefighting and emergency medical services.
The site was the Unified Fire Authority (UFA) fire-training center at 3950 S. 8000 West. Classroom training and hands-on work was offered by UFA members and the event was sponsored by the International Association of Fire Fighters, Salt Lake County Fire Fighters Local 1696.
After the firefighters handled a few smaller blazes, the group of political leaders outfitted with proper safety clothing, masks and oxygen tanks took on their assignment of extinguishing a training fire set in a mobile home on the site.
Just the firefighting gear alone was impressive, Corroon said.
"It's pretty heavy," he said. "It gives you an appreciation of what they go through on a 100-degree day."
What surprised him the most was how much they have to do in an emergency.
Taylorsville Mayor Janice Auger, chairman of the United Fire Authority Board of Directors, helped shape the unified program effort for more than four years before its 2004 inception, so she's quite familiar with firefighting matters. Still, Saturday's educational exercise was worth it, she said.
"I do think I've learned how important the necessary manpower is," she said. "If they're short-staffed, it takes longer, and every second counts whether they're fighting a fire or dealing with cardiac arrest."
Most Unified Fire Authority trucks are staffed with four people, but some have only three. A future goal is to bring staffing up to four people on the vehicles, she said.
"The public will be safer with an additional person," she said.
Also taking part were House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy; Taylorsville city administrator John Morgan; Riverton City Council members Gayla Brinkerhoff, Roy Tingey, Al Leavitt and Lisa Mariano; and Evan Gabrielsen, who is helping Riverton with emergency planning.
E-mail: lindat@desnews.com
Comments
- 5A all-state soccer first team 9:30 p.m.
- Drop in Thanksgiving travel predicted 9:29 p.m.
- Island whipping doesn't thrill Andersen 9:18 p.m.
- Canyons chief named law group's v.p. 9:06 p.m.
- Rock on 9:00 p.m.
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman 8:57 p.m.
- 3A soccer all-state first team 8:56 p.m.
- U. hopes to keep clicking 8:28 p.m.
- Steelers lead Broncos at halftime 8:13 p.m.
- Jazz win in N.Y. for 1st time since '04 8:02 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
269 - House passes health care bill
226 - Lobo suspended
181 - TCU showdown has big implications
180 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
114 - Thousands protest health bill
112 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
95
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
End of Story | 6:29 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009 "You can defend the Ute Win last year...
kelso! love you girl,you're amazing! i'm so happy for you, you deserve this!...
Oklahoma lost again.
In the car, at home, wherever we are, I am the first one to zip past the jazz...
24601 nailed it, Why doesn't Jerry realize these things?
Was in LES two weeks ago.... Yewts are playing for repect and THIRD PLACE...
how are they continuouosly letting double digit leads vanish if they have all...
It's time to get a REAL jugde!
The arrogance of liberal writers here should be obvious to everyone. It says...
You simply cannot proclaim somebody guilty or innocent by their reaction to...



You can be the first to comment on this story.