Draper firefighters deploy to work in other western states for weeks
Sep 10, 2024 12:53PM ● By Mimi Darley Dutton
L-R James McKeag and Parker Hansen deployed to western states with one of Draper’s Type 3 engines, a smaller and more agile apparatus designed for fighting fires in wildland/urban interface. (Courtesy Draper Fire Department)
Thirty-three firefighters from nine Utah departments, including four from Draper, deployed to
Oregon in response to a state-to-state request for help. According to the Utah Division of Emergency Management, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), Utah submitted an offer of resources and financial reimbursement considerations which Oregon accepted. The Utah crews left from West Valley City on the morning of July 21.
Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith said his crewmembers went in Draper-owned equipment to the basecamp in Spray, Oregon to help with the Lone Rock Fire. “They deploy in our apparatus because they need the apparatus and the personnel to help them fight or extinguish those fires. They went in an engine designed for wildland/urban interface, smaller and more agile than fire engines you’d see in our community.”
That initial crew was in Oregon for one week before going to California to help with the Park Fire. “The original crew of four was gone a total of two and a half weeks. We put four more people in a pickup truck, sent them to California, and they swapped out with those four that were there. Those four began a new, 14-day work cycle,” Smith said.
Approximately one month after the initial deployment to Oregon, the second crew sent by Draper began their trip home from California on Aug. 23. But because it’s a busy fire season, there’s not much time to rest after they get home, especially during fire season. “They get at minimum a 24-hour rest cycle before they go back on shift for their regular duties here,” Smith said.
Once they return, fire departments including Draper’s have to analyze what might be needed in Utah versus what help they might offer to other states. “There’s still a long way to go this fire season. We’re only in August and we’ve had deployments out of state as late as December. We’ll take a minute to bring our crews home, to rehab equipment and give our people a rest, and then reevaluate,” Smith said.
Utah Fire Information said that as of August, for the 2024 season, the state has had 1,017 total fires with nearly 55,000 acres burned. Of those fires for the year to date, more than half (560) were caused by humans and the rest are attributed to natural causes.
While it’s a sacrifice to deploy crews to other states, there are payoffs beyond financial reimbursement that come through EMAC. Smith said his crews have helped with an array of tasks, from direct fire attack to mop-up procedures and helping escort displaced or evacuated residents back into their homes. He said it gives Utah crews an opportunity “to gain experience and qualifications they can bring home to help in the protection of our own community.” There’s also the human aspect. “I’ve heard how grateful the people of that area of California are for them being there to assist…how thankful and gracious the residents have been. Our crews have worked extremely hard, but they’re grateful for the experience they have gained.”
Aug. 13 marked six years since Draper Fire Department lost one of their own, Matt Burchett, on a California deployment. Every year on that date, the department hosts a memorial event in his honor. “We do something each year to remember the sacrifice of Matt. When we have crews deployed over that same time frame, it always gives us an opportunity to recognize the danger that is inherent in this job, but we are committed to protecting life and property, and we do that in Matt’s honor,” Smith said. “That’s what Matt stood for and that’s what Matt would want us to continue to do.” λ