Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Heber City's new fire station blends modern facilities with family traditions.
- Assistant Fire Chief Clair Provost highlights the station's familial roots and camaraderie.
- Wasatch County's rapid growth prompts plans for four additional stations in a decade.
HEBER CITY — There are things you expect to find in a brand-new fire station: engines that shine, ambulances ready to roll and plenty of space for firefighters to live. The new Wasatch Fire District station in Heber City has all of that and more.
"I was way impressed with this firehouse," said Assistant Fire Chief Clair Provost.
Provost has been with the Wasatch Fire District for 43 years.
He's seen stations come and go but said it's not the walls that impress him the most; it's the roots growing within them.
"It is awesome to be able to work with family," he said with pride.
Provost has two sons serving in the department.
Jason Provost has been in the department for 25 years. Jake Provost is going on nine.
"There's something special here, a camaraderie that just happens," said Jason Provost. "We grew up going to help clean an ambulance or do different things in the community."
What started as chores with Dad turned into careers.
"We watched Dad participate in it all growing up, and I really can't remember a time where I wasn't interested in fire engines and ambulances," said Jake Provost with a smile. "I am so proud of my dad."
The Provosts are just one of several family trees rooted in this district.
"We have so many members of our district that are family," said Wasatch Fire District Chief Eric Hales.
A public open house was held Tuesday evening at the new station at 251 E. 1200 South in Heber City to welcome residents and give tours of the fire house.
The station was built in response to rapid growth in the area.
"Wasatch County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state," said Hales. "We are averaging about 15 calls a day right now."
Plans are already in the works to build four more fire stations in the county in the next decade.
But what really makes the department work isn't just what's new, it's what has been here all along.
"It is a very proud moment as a father to watch your sons, as they go and improve," said Clair Provost. "And to me, service is what it's all about in life. That's important to me."
