Utah Firefighters Deploy to California Fires
Nov 11, 2018, 7:38 PM | Updated: 7:40 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Firefighters from across Utah are on their way to help battle fires raging in Southern California.
Firefighters from several agencies gathered in the parking lot of the Maverik Center Sunday morning for a briefing and to say goodbye to their families.
“It’s been pretty crazy, what I’ve been seeing on the news out there,” said Matt Trenery, a firefighter from Uintah City.
The crews include veteran firefighters and others who have never been deployed to a fire like this. This is Trenery’s first deployment.
“Talk about baptism by fire. I mean, we’re going down there and trying to attack the beast, but the main thing is we want to take care of the people out there that are needing the help,” he said.
The firefighters expect to be deployed for at least 14 days. Families soaked up the last few minutes with their loved ones Sunday morning.
“I love my firefighter,” said Sheree Funk. “Couldn’t be more proud. You worry. You can’t help but worry and just love them. It’s a lot of mixed emotions for sure,”
The firefighters will likely spend Thanksgiving hundreds of miles from their families. Funk’s husband, Kevin, is a paramedic with the West Valley City Fire Department. She said they would find a way to include him in their celebration.
“He’ll definitely be a part of it somehow. I’ll try and FaceTime him or something,” she said.
The firefighters expect to make it to Las Vegas Sunday evening. They plan to arrive in Chico, California on Monday.
A public information officer with Salt Lake County Emergency Management sent the following list of personnel Utah is sending to California:
State of Utah Agency Rep – (2)
UFA Mechanic – (1)
UT Task Force 1 (UT Northern 1)
Task Force Leader – (2)
SLC – Type I Engines (x2) with 8 personnel
UFA – Type III Engines (x2) with 8 personnel
West Valley – Type I Engine with 4 personnel
Uintah – Type VI Engine with 4 personnel
UT Task Force 2 (UT Northern 2)
Task Force Leader – (2)
Lone Peak – Type I/III Engine with 3 personnel
Pleasant Grove – Type I Engine with 4 personnel
Murray – Type I Engine with 4 personnel
South Jordan – Type I Engine with 4 personnel
Sandy – Type VI Engine with 3 personnel
Syracuse – Type VI Engine with 2 personnel
UT Task Force 3 (UT Wasatch Back)
Task Force Leader – (2)
Wasatch County Fire District – Type III Engine with 4 personnel
Park City – Type III with 3 personnel
Wasatch County – Type VI Engine (x2) with 5 personnel
North Summit – Type VI Engine with 2 personnel
Utah FFSL – Type VI Engine (2x) with 4 personnel
UT Task 4 (UT Southern)
Task Force Leader – (2)
Cedar City – Type I with 4 personnel
Green River – Type II with 3 personnel
Levan – Type I with 4 personnel
Holden – Type I with 4 personnel
Gunnison – Type I with 4 personnel
Washington City – Type I with 4 personnel
Wales Fire – Type I with 4 personnel
