Fire Department History
The mission of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department is to provide a wide range of services to the community designed to protect and preserve life, property, and the environment, through planning, prevention, education and response. We are committed to excellence in the delivery of these services: “Proudly We Serve.”
FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
The Saratoga Springs Fire Department was established in July of 2000. It was started in a barn that was owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There were several 
volunteers that had little or no training. Dave Vickers was hired as a full-time Fire Chief. His enthusiasm and background were instrumental in acquiring several used vehicles; including a 1957 American LaFrance Engine and several military vehicles that were converted into wildland firefighting units.
At that time the Fire Department was providing basic emergency medical first response. Lehi City was used as the ambulance transporting agency. By January of 2002, a 3 bay fire station was constructed at 2015 South Redwood Road that contained a much needed training room for the rapidly growing department.
By the end of 2002, most department members had received their Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications, Hazardous Materials Operations, Wildland Firefighter and achieved the basic level of Emergency Medical Technician. The volunteers signed up for shifts during the day, and were placed into 2 man teams with a rotating schedule for being on call. These teams would cover first response in the City from their homes with a City truck. Most Department members immediately started the next available EMT-Intermediate class in preparation to provide a higher level of service to the community. The department had grown to approximately 18 volunteers with a volunteer Deputy Chief and 4 volunteer Captains.
The years 2002 thru 2006 brought an increase in the number of residents as well as the number of emergency calls for the Fire Department.
By the end of March 2006, Chief Vickers moved on to new things and the department acquired Chief Mike Penovich. The department moved forward rapidly with the new chief. By the end of May 2006 a new fire station was built at 995 W. 1200 N. above Sunrise Meadows subdivision. The department moved into the new 2 bay pull through station which contained living quarters, administrative offices, physical fitness room, and a training room. The department had also acquired new fire apparatus, hired on several part-time employees, and had turned in the application for an intermediate ambulance license. The State approved the application and on December 1, 2006 the Saratoga Springs Fire Department began transporting patients with newly acquired ambulance. The station started being staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a crew of at least 3 members.
On July 5th, 2007 the department lost our great leader. Chief Penovich was killed in a tragic accident while on department business. The members of the department wish to express their deepest gratitude for the time we were able to work with him and the things we were able to learn from him. Dawnya DeKarver was selected to function as the interim Fire Chief. The City then began the process of selecting a new Chief. On October 10th, 2007, it was announced that a new Chief had been selected. Chief Tim Hay started November 5th, 2007.
In October 2009 Chief Michael James Penovich was inducted into the National Firefighter Memorial.
In loving memory:
Chief Michael James Penovich
March 05, 1969-July 05, 2007
In November 2009 the first full-time fire department employees were hired. Three Captains and three firefighters were hired to serve 24 hours a day 7 days a week. A full-time captain, and full-time firefighter and two part-time firefighters covered the City.
Captain Jerry Lund
Captain Dawnya Healy
Captain Steve Chaffin
Firefighter Darren Wright
Firefighter Tyson Frazier
Firefighter Blain Coombs
In May 2010 the Fire Department expanded to two stations. The second station located at 2015 S. Redwood Road serves the southern half of the City. A full-time and part time staff member man this station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Located at this station is a Jet Rescue Boat which was purchased with funds donated by citizens and Wal-Mart. The purchase of a rescue boat was needed to reduce the time it takes to get a rescue boat from Provo Boat harbor or Utah County Search and Rescue . These resources are up to 40 minutes away or more. In addition to the fire rescue boat two wave runners from Utah County Search and Rescue are available in Station One for rescues on the Jordan River or Utah Lake.
In August 2010 Chief Hay left the City of Saratoga Springs for a Chief position at the department he first served as a firefighter. He left the City with a completed All Hazards Response plan, added six full-time personal to the staff and made several changes to increased fire fighter safety . With his absence the City appointed Captain Jerry Lund as Interim Chief and Tyson Frazier as Interim Captain in September 2010.
With the continued population growth of the City and emergency call volume ever increasing, in October 2010 a 5th firefighter position was added and made the staffing level at Station One to three firefighters 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
In August 2010 the department bought two Zoll monitors purchased through a grant from American Hospital Association. This gave the EMT the ability to monitor and transmit 12 lead electro cardio gram to nearby hospitals and bypass the nearest receiving hospital with a Cath Lab in the event the patient is having a STEMI.
In January 2011 the department added a second ambulance which responds out of station two. The department has a fire engine and ambulance at each station to reduce response times for the citizens of Saratoga Springs.
On October 4th, 2011 the City of Saratoga Springs appointed a new Fire Chief, Jess Campbell. Chief Jess Campbell comes to the City after nearly 24 years of service with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, where he recently retired with the rank of Assistant Fire Chief.
The department is currently in the process of getting a paramedic ambulance/rescue license with an estimated start time of midsummer.