Each year I ask United Fire Authority (UFA) for statistics on the number of calls they go to each year. These calls include Medical and Fire calls. According to UFA, “Medical Calls include incidents that are dispatched as medical in nature.The total number includes traffic accidents, welfare checks, and those incidents that are “mutual aid” (assistance given to or received by other agencies) and those incident in which UFA units were cancelled en route or upon arrival.” “Fire Calls include all incidents that are dispatched as flood or water issues, alarms, grass or wildland fires, structure fires and incidents that considered hazardous in nature (fuel spills, gas leaks, CO monitoring, etc.) This number also includes cancelled calls and fire related incident that are “mutual aid” (assistance given to or received by another agency)”
During 2019 Eagle Mountain UFA responded to 916 Medical Calls and 283 Fire Calls. The break down by month is included in the report that is attached below.
This is a slight increase from last year. Fire calls decreased, but Medical calls increased. As the population grows in Eagle Mountain, this type of growth in emergency calls is expected.
Remember when you see emergency vehicles you need to surrender the right of way to them. Lets keep alert and move over and yield to them. Allowing them through can save lives. In most cases seconds can matter significantly. The Utah Department of Safety reminds us, “You see them pulled over on the side of the road: a police car with its lights flashing, maybe a tow truck, too. You look over — you’re naturally curious about what’s happened. But, it turns out, that’s one of the worst things you can do.”
In an article titled “What do drivers need to do when an emergency vehicle approaches?” found in the Standard Examiner, the topic is discussed in more depth.
The Utah law that addresses this issue, Title 41-6a-904, states that when an emergency vehicle approaches, motorists must “yield the right-of-way and immediately move to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection; and then stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.”
The article continues:
For the most part, Utah drivers are pretty good about moving over for emergency vehicles, according to Eynon (Lt. Brian Eynon with Ogden Police Department). But one area in which they could improve, he says, is observing the common courtesy to allow vehicles ahead of them to merge back onto the road afterward.
When an emergency vehicle passes, some motorists don’t pull completely off the road and stop. They merely slow down, and then quickly resume their travel after it passes. This can cause merging conflicts with the motorists ahead of them who did come to a complete stop and are now trying to get back onto the road.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.