Unified Fire Authority unveils Dive Rescue Team

HERRIMAN — There are many big lakes and reservoirs in Utah that families and recreationists flock to in the summertime.

But there is also an increasing number of smaller reservoirs within the cities of Salt Lake County. As the population of those cities grows, so does the popularity of those areas.

And so does the potential for accidents.

Because of the increase in popularity of areas such as Black Ridge Reservoir, 15000 S. 5390 West, the Unified Fire Authority on Monday unveiled its new Dive Rescue Team.

Already, the UFA has Swift Water Rescue, Open Water Rescue and Ice Rescue teams. Now the department wants to increase its ability to help people under the water as well as on the surface.

The UFA's dive team will have 15 members, with three, five-member teams working in rotation around the clock.

"The significance of our team is we're staffed 24/7 with our equipment," said UFA Battalion Chief Clint Smith. "They can be deployed within minutes."

The team will be stationed at UFA's Herriman Fire Station, near 13100 South and 6000 West. Herriman City invested about $18,000 to provide the equipment for the new team.

There is so much interest in the team that at least eight firefighters who are not on the team paid to be certified out of their own pockets so they could step in if there is ever an opening, Smith said.

The current dive team members will complete their full rescue training about a year from now, said UFA Capt. Joe Wilcken.

Wilcken admits a lot of what the team does will likely be recovery efforts. However, because the team is ready to go at a moment's notice, they are hoping they can also do a few saves.

"Our goal is to help out statewide," he said.

On Monday, UFA showed off the new team at Black Ridge Reservoir, the site of a drowning last year. Marcos Menjivar, 22, died one year ago Tuesday while swimming in the reservoir.

The Department of Public Safety and the Unified Police Department already have dive teams in Salt Lake County. Smith said the goal was to train with those groups and learn from experienced divers.

"We want to work with them cooperatively," he said.

Smith said there are two reservoirs in Herriman, with several more planned. That's in addition to new ones in South Jordan. The increasing number of reservoirs alone shows there is a need for the UFA's Dive Rescue Team, he said.

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