HISTORY OF UNIFIED FIRE AUTHORITY

In 1998, discussions began surfacing with regard to the formation of a unified fire department within Salt Lake County. For years, Salt Lake County Fire provided emergency services to several contract cities including Alta, Draper, Herriman, Holladay, Riverton, and Taylorsville. Each city appreciated the services rendered by the Department, and each wanted their relationship to continue to foster. However, there was not an avenue for elected officials within each of the jurisdictions to vote on current issues or budget proposals. This, along with Administrative concerns for the ability to make and carry out long-term planning, added to the need to take the Department in another direction.

On September 30, 2003, each of the respective mayors came together, with the voting approval of their councils, and signed a 50 year agreement creating Unified Fire Authority (UFA).

Simultaneous to the formation of UFA, Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman worked hard at the legislative level. It was her intent to make changes within State law regarding the creation of a fire district. Her success at the State Capitol allowed the Salt Lake County Council to form a fire district for the unincorporated areas of the County. As a result, the independent district, Salt Lake Valley Fire Service Area, was formed, and quickly joined UFA. This action provided a taxing model that each UFA member could later adopt.

The public is greatly benefited by having their interests represented through locally elected officials at the UFA Board level. One of the major purposes for the creation of UFA was to provide an opportunity for medium and long range planning for fire protection and other services associated with a modern fire agency. This had always been difficult in the past due to contracts and annexations.

The first year of operation brought great success accomplishing the transition from Salt Lake County Fire to this new independent agency. Financial stability was secured, policies were adopted, support and field personnel were hired, and the process of name recognition began.

Today, Unified Fire Authority is heavily involved not only with fire protection, but also in emergency management, hazardous materials response and reporting, bomb disposal, emergency medical response, urban search and rescue, heavy rescue operations, fire prevention, public education, community relations and fire and explosive investigations. Unified Fire Authority is now the largest fire department in Utah with over 500 full and part-time employees. Cottonwood Heights has since joined UFA and Riverton and Herriman have joined the Salt Lake Valley Fire Service Area.