Collaborative effort to bring life-saving emergency medical services and fire protection to area communities
HIDEOUT, UT (May 3, 2024) – Tomorrow, residents and businesses along the SR-248 corridor will kick-off the “Let’s Ignite” campaign and the public is invited. The scenic communities nestled along the SR-248 corridor face a dual challenge: rapid growth and high fire risk due to their proximity to the outdoors. Fueled by the desire to bring life-saving emergency medical service and critical fire protection closer to home, this community-led initiative gives the public an opportunity to donate funds for a temporary fire station. The kick-off event will take place near the station location at 11545 N. Recreation Dr. in Hideout from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dubbed Station 56, the temporary fire station will include a mobile fire equipment and unit staffed 24/7 with firefighters trained in emergency medical services from the Wasatch Fire District. “When seconds can mean the difference between life and death, Station 56 will allow us to respond rapidly to medical emergencies and fire incidents,” said Eric Hales, Chief of the Wasatch Fire District. “The Wasatch Fire District has a long and storied history of ‘neighbor helping neighbor’ in their time of crisis. It’s the most rewarding aspect of our work and we look forward to better serving the communities along the SR-248 with Station 56.”
A permanent fire station is anticipated for construction in another location along the SR-248 corridor as early as 2026. With the permanent station years away, the Town of Hideout, the Wasatch Fire District, and area stakeholders have worked together to provide Station 56 as a temporary solution to address immediate needs now.
The Town has overseen initial site engineering, the Wasatch Fire District has provided fire services and equipment, and GCD Construction, a local property owner and developer, has generously offered the free temporary use of its land for the temporary station location. A team of dedicated community volunteers have helped to garner widespread public support seeking donations to cover the costs.
“Partnering with the Wasatch County Fire District to build a temporary fire station now, while we wait for the implementation of a permanent station, is a truly innovative approach to addressing a critical health and safety need in the community. It is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of the Fire District and Town. This collaborative effort would not have been possible without everyone coming together to make it happen,” said Hideout City Council Member Chris Baier. “First responders will be just a few minutes away – where every minute can count in an emergency. The community will surely feel more secure knowing critical help is nearby.”
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About Station 56
Station 56 is a temporary fire station aimed at addressing the high fire risk and emergency medical services along the SR-248 corridor. Spearheaded by collaboration between the Town of Hideout and the Wasatch Fire District, Station 56 represents a community-led initiative to provide vital emergency medical services and fire protection to residents and businesses. Situated near the Ross Creek entrance to Jordanelle State Park, this temporary station is made possible through the generosity of local developer GCD Construction and the public donations. For more information, visit hideoututah.gov/station-56. Donations can be made at bit.ly/Station56