BOUNTIFUL -- One hundred firefighters will be sworn in to the new South Davis Metro Fire Agency during a special ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Viewmont High School. The new agency, formed from the combined Bountiful Fire Department and South Davis Fire District, will become operational at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2005, but firefighters will be sworn in and receive their badges in a ceremony the agency's new chief George Sumner likened to a high school graduation, "but with more pomp."

Family, friends and dignitaries are expected to attend.

Sumner said there will be no fanfare expected at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, but he may visit each station to welcome firefighters on board the new agency.

The new agency will provide the entire range of fire-related services, including prevention, education, communications and medical services to a much greater degree than either Bountiful Fire or South Davis could provide on their own..

The agency will operate out of five stations between North Salt Lake and Centerville, with 19 people on duty at all times. Currently they have 14 on duty. "The increase in staff is tremendously important. We can do things we couldn't do before," Sumner said.

That includes complying with the federal two in-two out rule, which requires there be four fighters on the scene before two can go into a burning building.

Through an agreement with the county, two paramedic units will operate out of the new agency. The first will come on line Jan. 1, and the second sometime in March.

Twelve firefighter/paramedics have already been hired.

Nine began Dec. 15, in preparation for the formation of the agency. The other three are scheduled to begin Feb. 15.

The new agency is being funded by participating cities and Davis County, with $500,000 coming from the county to fund the paramedic service.



mwilliams@davisclipper.com