New American Fork Fire Station
American Fork Fire & Rescue Association is a proud organization that supports American Fork City and the Bond for the New Fire Station.
American Fork City is growing rapidly, and with growth comes the need to expand emergency services. American Fork Fire/Rescue Department (AFFR) is an all hazards fire and paramedic service that provides fire suppression, EMS, and technical rescue to the City of American Fork. After two separate external and independent studies it was determined that American Fork is in immediate need of a second fire station and plans for a third to meet the recommended response times. Currently, only 70% of our community falls within the nationally recommended response time of 4 – 6 minutes. Response times of emergency services not only affect the safety and well-being of our citizens and visitors, but also affects the city’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. ISO ratings are used by insurance companies to determine how safe every city is. A better ISO rating reduces the amount citizens/businesses pay for property insurance. American Fork Fire Station 51 located at 96 North Center Street is currently the busiest single fire station in Utah County responding to 3182 calls in 2018. The next busiest fire station in Utah County responded to fewer than half that number. Provo, Orem, and Lehi Fire Department's all responded to more calls collectively; however, they respond from multiple fire stations within their city boundaries. Over the years American Fork City has met the steady increase in call volume by adding staffing and equipment to Station 51; however, due to population growth, increases in traffic, and property annexation, expanding the city boundaries, American Fork Fire & Rescue is finding it impossible to meet nationally recommended response times. In addition to the increased distances and congestion, over one third of American Fork Fire & Rescue’s calls are dispatched while crews are already committed to other incidents. At times this may require mutual aid responses from surrounding agencies which further delays fire suppression and/or medical care. By adding the new fire station in the north east quadrant of the city, and purchasing ground for a third fire station on the south side of I-15, The City of American Fork will be able to strategically place responders and resources to meet the national recommended response times and continue to provide premier fire and EMS services to the community. |
Hello,
As President of the American Fork Firefighter’s Rescue Association (AFFRA), and on behalf of its membership, we would like to express our support and encourage the citizens of American Fork to “VOTE YES” for the Fire Station Bond, November 5, 2019. I would like to express my appreciation to the City and Fire Chief, Aaron Brems, for supporting the need for a second fire station in American Fork City. Considering the American Fork Fire Rescue call volume, the need of a second station is absolutely necessary. The members of the AFFRA pride ourselves on a quick, all hazard response to the community of American Fork and Cedar Hills. With the placement of a second fire station, we will be able to provide a quicker response to the northeast and northwest areas of our city, allowing them to meet the national standard for response times to these areas of the community. Also, with the growth in the south end of the city, a need for a third fire station is soon on the horizon. Purchasing the property now with the Fire Station Bond will allow the city to be steps ahead and reduce the cost in the future for acquiring the land when the third fire station is needed. As members of the AFFRA, we ask that you stand with us by placing a YES vote on your ballot for the Fire Station Bond. Securing this bond is critical to the citizens of American Fork City. We appreciate your support in this as your American Fork Firefighters. Stay Safe. Colter Christen, President AFFRA |
A MESSAGE FROM RYAN HUNTER
I’m happy to support this new bond for public safety. It is important to ensure that we don’t continue risking the health and safety of our residents by postponing the inevitable. The timing of this new bond has been well thought out with the rolling off of two current bonds and will have a net positive gain as compared to our current bond obligations as tax payers. In addition, I am very encouraged by the forward thinking of the city to include not only the strategic location and building of the new northern fire station 52 but also purchasing additional land for the future development of a necessary station 53, south of I-15. Administration has also successfully secured the contract for the services for Cedar Hills public safety that results in an additional $750,000 per year in operating revenue to help offset the costs of running the new station. We need the station with or without Cedar Hills but having their contract results in a financial benefit to us as residents. Because of the upcoming Murdoch Connector Road that will bridge the north east of American Fork with the north west area, this new station will decrease the response times to our north west residents. It also creates overlaps in the highest call areas that our Fire and EMS personnel deal with on a regular basis. The statistics speak for themselves and although we have been able to overcome unprecedented high call volumes up until now by over staffing, the one thing that they cannot overcome is distance. It simply takes time to arrive on a call. We have amazingly dedicated and talented individuals on staff and they deserve our commitment likewise. In short, I encourage each of us to VOTE YES on the Fire Station Bond in 2019.
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