At the Kaysville City Council meeting on May 12, Fire Chief Paul Erickson swore-in seven new full-time firefighters. 

One of these positions fills an open vacancy while the remaining six are new positions to the department. This brings the 24/7 staffing up to eight firefighters. Erickson said this increased staffing will make staff less reliant on neighboring fire departments to manage second-out calls in response areas, while also making operations at fire scenes safer and more effective.

Further, beginning on May 1, the Kaysville Fire Department started running its emergency medical response at the paramedic level. Historically, Kaysville Fire has staffed its ambulances with firefighters that are cross-trained as Advanced-EMT’s, while receiving paramedic response from the Davis County Sheriff’s Office. Under this unique program, sheriff deputies that are cross trained as paramedics have responded with area fire departments to serious emergency medical calls.

As the county has experienced tremendous growth and a greater demand for emergency medical services is needed, Davis County public safety leaders have worked to transition paramedic services to a fire department-based model, putting paramedics in each fire station.

Kaysville and Fruit Heights officials thanked the Davis County Sheriff’s Office for 44 years of dedicated service to their citizens. Many lives in our community have been saved at the hands of these sheriff/paramedics. Erickson said Kaysville will always cherish their friendships and strong working relationships with fellow responders at the Sheriff’s Office.

Moving forward, Kaysville Fire ambulances and fire engines will continue to be staffed by Firefighter/Advanced-EMTs, while a designated paramedic unit, called Medic 61, will be staffed by Firefighter/Paramedics. Medic 61 will only respond to life-threatening medical emergencies, such as breathing problems, cardiac events, and traumatic injuries.

Kaysville’s Firefighter/Paramedics included seasoned paramedics that have been hired from other agencies, as well as brand-new paramedics who just graduated from paramedic school. Kaysville City is excited to expand their emergency medical services in this way and look forward to continuing the legacy of excellent pre-hospital medical care in the community. 

Please welcome FF/AEMT Tyler Reece, FF/Paramedic Kasey Adams, FF/Paramedic Colton Alvey, FF/AEMT Andrew Leonard, FF/AEMT Cameron Bledsoe, FF/AEMT Mitch Probert, and FF/AEMT Dallin Peck to the department. l