North Tooele Fire District crosstrains firefighters in structural firefighting AND wildland firefighting.  We preach Firewise to the Community and adhere to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards within our 1,730 square miles of wildland and wildland urban interface.  With a new Fire Chief, we have a 5-year Wildland Preparedness Vision that includes enhanced firefighter preparedness, community education, IAFC Ready, Set, Go! Enrollment, and a Registered Firewise Community within the District.

Within our roster of (38) full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters, we have (22) red-carded firefighters.  All (38) firefighters are being encouraged to obtain their Wildland I certification through the Utah Fire Rescue Academy (UFRA).

North Tooele Fire District serves a unique environment of wildland/urban interface challenges in mountains, hillsides and forested areas immediately surrounding the few main roads.  Our District borders public land areas and the US Army Dugway Proving Grounds.  We are cooperators with the Bureau of Land Management, Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FF & SL), the US Army, Bureau of Indian Affairs and many private agencies.  Agreements are in place to provide fire suppression and Emergency Medical Services in the wildland and wildland/urban interface.

The North Tooele Fire District is primarily supported by a tax base of 16,500 residents.  Our population is growing as families migrate away from the Salt Lake City area into the Tooele Valley.  Years ago, much of the non-public lands were simply undeveloped.  Now, they can’t build infrastructure fast enough.

According to the US Census, the average median household income in our community is $76,737 which is above the State’s median of $74,197 and the US median of $67,521.  Unfortunately, in the past 18 months, the median listing home price has increased to $465,000.  There is a significant disparity between income and the ability to live in our District.   With the price of fuel alone, commuters to Salt Lake City have begun to feel the enormous pressures of living 30 – 45 miles away from their work.

Our district is largely unincorporated.  Operations in our District are vital to the US economy.  We protect 56 miles of I-80 and in two mile-long stretches, the Interstate is sandwiched with the Union Pacific Railroad in between the Great Salt Lake on the North and Mountains to the South.  If either of these chokepoints were to fail, US Interstate Commerce would come to a grinding halt.  Alternative routes are in Idaho and Arizona – miles and hours would be spent in diversion of traffic.