Fighting Fire in Ferron

By COREY BLUEMEL Staff Writer

In the afternoon of Nov. 14, Ferron City Councilmembers and Mayor Kent Larsen hosted a ground breaking ceremony for construction of the new fire station building for that city’s fire department. Several old homes and sheds were either demolished or relocated, to accommodate the construction, which is the culmination of a three year planning process by the council.
Mayor Larsen began by welcoming the residents and volunteers of the fire department to the beginning of the construction phase of this project.
“This project began three years ago with a wish from the fire chief. None of us knew where to begin but like the Abominable Snowman said in the movie Rudolph, ‘You put one step in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking out the door.’ Basically that’s what we did. Through the ceaseless efforts of residents of Ferron, the project is coming together. The fire department is very important to every citizen, not only in Ferron, but in Emery County. They play a big role in our lives, as was demonstrated last New Year’s with the big fire in town.
“Our fire department works very hard training and preparing to be there in the event of an emergency. They do a tremendous job. Along with their duties, they bring Santa Claus to town and also do all the fireworks at Peach Days. Our EMTs are also a very instrumental part of the community.
“Councilman Gordon Bennett put together the committee to bring the project to this point. With the work of that committee, and all the other volunteers, the project received funding and is now becoming reality. We applaud you all for donating your precious time and commend you and thank you,” said Larsen.
Randy Nielson, fire department chief, said “Thanks to the community for all your efforts. The current station has been a good one and served us well, but it is now time to move on and update our facilities. More training is required all the time for the fire department and the EMTs, and because of our central location, Ferron fire station is where most of the training for the county firefighters takes place. The fire department and the EMTs work very closely and work very well together.”
Councilman Bennett remarked, “Our fire department has outgrown the current building. We looked into remodeling it, and we learned that so much would be needed that it was more cost effective to build a completely new facility. We put together a citizen committee and began the process. We have heard that it takes a community to make things happen, and we learned first hand that when a community comes together, things happen.
“Lou Sansevero wrote the grants for the funding. Leslie Danzer was the chairman of the citizens committee. The entire group worked together to bring this project to this point. I appreciate all of the efforts. Thanks also to the county for allowing the road department crew to help with the preparation of the ground after the removal of the buildings. I would like the 11 people instrumental in working on this project to each take a shovel and join me in the groundbreaking. After that, any of the citizens who would like to take part in the ceremony are welcome to dig a little for the new fire station,” said Bennett.
Lloyd Knowles of ARCHOS Design of Spanish Fork, Gayland Dugmore, Randy Nielson, Kent Larsen, Lou Sansevero, Jo Sansevero, Leslie Danzer, Bryan Erickson and Gordon Bennett began the construction phase of the project by breaking the ground for the new Ferron Fire Station. Also instrumental in the project, but not present at the ceremony were Laurie Pitchforth and Philip Nelson.
wFollowing the groundbreaking ceremony, Bennett awarded Nielson the first shovel that turned ground to be hung in the new station. Hot chocolate and cookies were served in the old building.