ON THIS EPISODE:  UFA Information Technology provides the tools, systems, and hardware to support all employees in accomplishing their mission. Administrative and field personnel need the best tools to do their jobs as efficient as possible, and IT helps make that happen.

In the past few years, UFA has experienced many changes in the IT Division. Business Technology & Intelligence Manager Ginger Watts joined the department about a year and a half ago, and Les Olson Company took over IT support a little while before that. 

Keeping our organization’s data secure is a big concern; and though we have software in place to look for threats, attacks on municipalities are unavoidable. Any files that prevent you from getting day-to-day work done may be targeted.

The State of Utah is still recovering from a breach about 12 years ago, and Salt Lake County has been hit in recent years as well. 

We need to do our best to be prepared, and employees are the first line of defense. That is why education is critical. Security Awareness Training is mandatory, but thanks to KnowBe4’s dramatic series, The Inside Man, we have a fun way to learn it. 

Like a Netflix show, the story helps drive the message and key takeaways. The Inside Man Season 2 starts today, and a new episode will be available every Monday. It is now available on LMS, so it is accessible in our department’s central training location and is assigned to all employees.

Fingers crossed for a Season 3 watch party!

GUESTS:

• Business Technology & Intelligence Manager - Ginger Watts
• Assistant Chief of Support Services - Dominic Burchett
• Public Information Officer - Patrick Costin

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Episode recorded July 15, 2021.

ON THIS EPISODE:  We touch base with Emergency Management to discuss their hands-on experience working through the pandemic and what their division's goals look like moving forward.

This last year has been different than any other for Emergency Management. A 5.7 earthquake, the windstorm, civil unrest and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept everyone working hard as we dealt with many unknowns.

The positive for them through this has been the opportunity to use all that's learned in FEMA classes to be prepared for these emergencies.

Operations Unit Leader/Captain Chet Ellis emphasized how we train for short-term instances that are days to weeks. The pandemic presented the new factor of a long-term instance, with it being over a year since their work began.

Through this challenge, they have still seen a lot of success. The processes worked and their partnership with the health department has been largely effective in coordinating vaccine efforts.

On the horizon for EM:  continued recovery from the pandemic, earthquake and windstorm; an expected busy fire season, as Utah is in a state of emergency due to a continued drought; and getting back into the groove of training that has been on hold.

Episode recorded April 4, 2021.

GUESTS:

• Emergency Management Division Chief Clint Mecham
• Captain / Operations Unit Leader Chet Ellis
• PIO / JIC Manager Tina Brown
• EM Project Coordinator Valerie Greensides

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ON THIS EPISODE:  We discuss a benefit available to all UFA employees upon reaching eligibility requirements.

UFA is proposing to the Board a 2% addition to all VEBA accounts for eligible employees, which will create 212 new accounts for employees now added to this benefit. This 2% will give everyone the start to a VEBA account until meeting the requirement to reach the sick leave cap to begin investing.

UFA and the employees of UFA own a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) plan, managed through Wells Fargo. This is an account UFA contributes funds into, and then that account can be used by employees once they separate employment, usually when they retire, resign, or leave for any other reason. These funds can be used for medical expenses and operates a lot like a FLEX plan, but is for post retirement/post employment.

On average, Firefighters in Utah hire around age 27 and stay for about 27 years, which puts them at 54 come retirement. Since they don't qualify for Medicare for another 11 years, VEBA can fill that gap for medical expense coverage.

One of the key advantages when investing in a VEBA account is the money is always tax free. It goes into the account, accrues earnings and is reimbursed without being taxed. Though it is restricted to medical expenses, it is a great asset to employees for their future planning.

More information is available on our website and in our benefit booklet.

GUESTS:

• Assistant Chief Riley Pilgrim, Chair of VEBA Board of Trustees
• Human Resources Director Arri Woolf, member of VEBA Board of Trustees
• Captain Jeremy Robertson, member of VEBA Board of Trustees
• Retired Assistant Chief Bill Brass, member of VEBA Board of Trustees

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On this episode:
We catch up with our Fire Prevention Division. Division Chief/Fire Marshal Brad Larson along with Deputy Fire Marshals Dan DeVoogd and Stewart Gray explain the division's unique role in our organization. On a regular basis, Fire Prevention works alongside our community partners to assure that the planning and development of our jurisdiction's construction projects are safe and code compliant. This involves a lot of technical expertise and problem solving capabilities to provide consultation, service and enforcement throughout all phases of the building process. There are nine individuals working in the Fire Prevention Division, with an Inspector position opening soon. Inspectors meet with developers, engineers, architects and city officials regularly, and are a part of the development team that makes sure our community's continue to grow safely. To anyone considering joining Fire Prevention, now is the opportunity to apply.

Guests:
Fire Marshal/Fire Prevention Division Chief Brad Larson
Deputy Fire Marshal/Captain Dan DeVoogd
Deputy Fire Marshal/Unit Leader Stewart Gray

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On this episode:
We are checking in with our Logistics Division. Chief Zach Robinson talks through some of the work that's been done since he came into his position about three years ago. Some of the big picture improvements are the implementation of new software for fleet, supply and asset management - these have provided great changes for the division. Many people don't realize how vast the scope of work is that Logistics covers; each of the managers talk more specifically about the sections they oversee, with Fleet Manager Dan Yates, Facilities Manager Larson Wood and Supply Manager Pete Young. At the end we hear what is on the horizon for Logistics and the ground breaking new things coming to our department.

Guests:
Logistics Division Chief Zach Robinson
Fleet Manager Dan Yates
Facilities Manager Larson Wood
Supply Manager/Paramedic Pete Young

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On this episode:
We dive into the responsibilities of our Special Enforcement Division (SED) with Division Chief Steve Ball and two of our Investigators, Steve Bowen and Paul Larsen. Arson and Explosive related incidents are considered two of the most dangerous criminal activities that threaten our citizens. The team utilizes highly-trained and certified canines (K9s) that assist with accelerant and explosives detection. The SED houses an FBI accredited Bomb Squad and conducts investigations for fire related calls for service. If the cause is criminal, they investigate and apprehend offenders. Special Enforcement also manages the SWAT Paramedic Program, conducts Professional Standards investigations as needed, and conducts background investigations for new-hire personnel. We wrap the episode with a discussion on what individuals interested in joining the division can expect. At least a five-year commitment is preferred due to the training and education necessary to work in this specialty.

Guests:
Special Enforcement Division Chief Steve Ball
Investigator Steve Bowen
Investigator Paul Larsen

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On this episode:
We sit down with Health & Wellness Officer Captain Layne Hilton and one of our Employee Assistance Program providers, Darren Elkins, to discuss the services available through our organization. The foundation of EAP is counseling to help with life's challenges. All employees and family members are eligible to receive EAP benefits. UFA recently switched to Blomquist Hale as our EAP provider because of their specialized First Responder Team. These providers are better equipped to help with the types of hardships we face. Children are eligible to receive assistance too - 95 percent of our current referrals are for family issues. Elementary age kids are really suffering with anxiety related to social integration post pandemic. Blomquist is offering in-person and Zoom sessions to provide service while accommodating for the individual's comfort level.

Guests:
Captain Layne Hilton, UFA's Health & Wellness Officer
Darren Elkins, Blomquist Hale's Clinical Operations Director

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On this episode:
We review the 3 alarm fire UFA responded to on Jan. 17, 2021 at the Union Center Medical Complex in Midvale impacting 10 local businesses. Battalion Chief McBride talks through some of the challenges faced while fighting this fire related to problems with water supply and accessibility. Operations Chief Dern touches on the interagency coordination and how well we integrated working with our neighboring agencies. Fire Prevention Division Chief Larson speaks to how fire code has changed since this building was constructed in 1985, before smoke detectors and sprinklers were required. He also explains how our Prevention Division is taking a proactive approach to educate and make contact in our communities to avoid a loss like this in the future.

News segment courtesy of Fox 13 Salt Lake City. You can view their full article here.

Guests:
Operations Chief Dusty Dern
Battalion Chief Scott McBride
Fire Prevention Division Chief Brad Larson

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On this episode:
We introduce our new Medical Director, Dr. BZ. The purpose of the Medical Director is to essentially watch over and make sure we are doing things correctly in the EMS world.  We function and operate under their medical license. Dr. BZ trained as an Emergency Medicine Physician and joined UFA in December 2020. He is a member of the teaching faculty at the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics and is a member of Utah's FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1. During the episode we hear some of the things Dr. BZ wants to focus on and accomplish, as well as changes our service providers can expect.

Guests:
UFA Medical Director Dr. Graham Brant-Zawadzki
EMS Division Chief Jay Torgersen
Captain Rob Ayres
Paramedic/PIO Matthew McFarland

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On this episode:
The Salt Lake Valley is known for its mountainous landscape and canyon recreation. As emergency responders in these areas, we face unique challenges providing service and protection to these communities. In this episode, we discuss the ways we are optimizing our coverage as we continue to see trends of increased call volume as more people use the canyons. We talk about the difference in the type of calls these crews go on and the importance of their working relationships with partner agencies like Ski Patrol and Search & Rescue. Providing response to the canyons can be challenging, so we are grateful to all those willing to assist in our service delivery.

Guests:
Fire Chief Dan Petersen
Operations Chief Dusty Dern
Battalion Chief Brian Anderton
Captain Jason Camp

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