- Utah fire departments discuss safety after Idaho ambush kills two firefighters.
- Chief Clint Smith emphasizes vigilance in unpredictable situations for fire teams' safety.
- Departments plan to review the Idaho incident for safety insights and offer condolences.
DRAPER — After a fire and an ambush shooting that left two dead north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, multiple fire departments in Utah said they expected to have new discussions about safety.
Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith said while the circumstances appeared to be unique, the ordeal underscored why it is important for fire teams to be vigilant in changing and evolving circumstances as they respond to a multitude of different calls.
"You never know, and you have to be vigilant," Smith told KSL-TV Monday. "You can't let your guard down or become complacent, and that's something we talk about often."
That said, Smith acknowledged it would have been "unreasonable" to think firefighters in any way would have been able to predict what unfolded in Idaho.
He said there is no training that deals directly with ambushes, but he said firefighters do prepare for active shooters, and general first-responder training focuses on being ready for the unexpected.
"Our crews have to know and be very aware that it can be very different from what they believe they're walking into," Smith said.
Smith and Unified Fire Authority spokesman Benjamin Porter said someone is generally responsible for ensuring the overall safety of individual fire teams.
"Whenever we run on a scene, we're going to have a truck or an engine with us, which is going to have a fire officer, one of our captains," Porter explained. "They're specifically trained to be able to manage the scene when it comes to security and safety."
Porter said his department's safety officer would likely review the circumstances of the Idaho ambush to see what could be learned from it.
Smith and American Fork Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Brandon Boshard said their departments would likely have new discussions about safety as a result of the shootings.
"For sure," Boshard responded to KSL via text. "We tell our folks to always have their heads on a swivel. You never know what you are going to walk into. I know a lot of firefighters in the country are paying attention to the events in Idaho."
Multiple departments offered their condolences.
"This is a tragedy for the firefighters, their families (and) their departments," Porter said. "I just want to say our hearts and our thoughts are with (them)."
