While hundreds of wildland firefighters worked to contain the Trail Mountain Fire west of Huntington, hundreds more converged in Price for four days of meetings, training, fellowship, activities, and tours of the area.
“A Tradition of Vigilance and Valor” was the theme for the Utah State Firefighters’ 110th Annual Convention, hosted by the Price City Fire Department June 13, 14, 15 and 16 at the Carbon County Event Center. The 2018 Utah State Firefighters’ Auxiliary Convention was also held on Friday and Saturday.
Price City Fire Chief Paul Bedont estimated there were 350 firefighters and vendors from all around the state in attendance at the convention. He noted, “It travels from year to year depending on which city wants to have it, so we were fortunate to have it this year.” Price also hosted the convention in 2001 and in 2011.
The Association business included the election of new officers, selecting the host city for 2019, a memorial service at the Notre Dame Catholic Church for firefighters who have passed, and the presentation of service awards. Lifetime member Bert J. Christenson of Price was among only a handful of firefighters to be honored with a 60-year Service Award.
Richard Colombo of the Helper City Fire Department was recognized with a 40-year Service Award; Lenor F. Callor, also with the Helper Fire Department, received a 20-year Service Award; Brandon Wise, again with Helper City, and Rick T. Adams of the Price City Fire Department were presented with 10-year Service Awards.
Activities included a golf tournament at the Carbon Country Club, a shooting event at North Springs Shooting Range, ATV ride, a parade on Price Main Street, a banquet, a barbeque, a “Ghost Tour” at the Price City Cemetery, and a tour of rock art in Nine Mile Canyon. Chief Bedont acknowledged, “We’re just trying to show off. The more we show off, the more people come back.” He said the convention was, “Fantastic! A lot of the attendees were very complimentary of Carbon County.” Current Firefighters Association President Michael Ahlstrom of Tropic declared, “I had no idea Price had such great facilities.”
The firefighters selected American Fork to host next year’s State Convention.
Firefighters converge on Price for annual state convention
60year service award presented by Association Pres. Michael Ahlstrom to Bert Christenson