- Cedar City supports Fire Chief Mike Phillips after his Sept. 16 training accident.
- Phillips suffered burns from jet fuel ignition and remains hospitalized in Salt Lake City.
- A fundraiser at Diamond Z Arena aims to ease his family's financial burden during recovery.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Cedar City community is coming together in a powerful show of support for Fire Chief Mike Phillips, who was seriously injured during a routine training exercise on Sept. 16.
Phillips suffered burns to his face and arm when jet fuel ignited prematurely during a live fire training session. He is currently being treated in the burn unit at a Salt Lake City hospital, where he is expected to remain for several more weeks.
"A little spark fell into the jet fuel and that ignited prematurely," said Cedar City Mayor Garth Green. "It burned him rather severely."
The training exercise, held every three years, involved over 800 firefighters from across the region — both career and volunteer crews — practicing real-life fire scenarios, including initial attack strategies and emergency escape procedures.
Green emphasized the close-knit nature of the Cedar City Fire Department.
"Our fire department, of course, is a close group of people," Green said. "It consists of 13 full-time firemen and quite a large number of volunteers."
Erick Cox, a fellow firefighter and longtime friend of Phillips, shared his deep admiration.
"Mike's a great guy. He would give you the shirt off his back. He's always helping others and serving in the community," Cox said. "I trust Mike with the lives of my sons — that's the kind of guy he is."
Cox recalled the moment of the accident.
"I was at the airport fire station, across from where he was," he said. "We were preparing to start the exercises. We didn't know how serious it was right away."
Despite the severity of his injuries, Phillips remains resilient.
"I talked to him this afternoon," Cox said. "He's got a positive attitude. He's the same Mike he's always been, just going through treatment to get everything repaired."
The emotional toll on those close to Phillips has been significant.
"Anytime you spend that kind of time with someone, you're always concerned," Cox added. "His son, Bailey, was there that night as a volunteer and didn't even know what had happened until the training was over."
Phillips' impact reaches far beyond Cedar City.
"Even statewide, the state chiefs and everybody — they know Mike," Cox said. "He's the first to volunteer and serve on any board or committee. He teaches for UVU, sits on the Utah Communications Authority board and is always instructing other departments."
To support Phillips and his family, the Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a fundraiser* Monday night at the Diamond Z Arena. The event will feature a barbecue dinner, raffle and silent auction. Local businesses have donated generously, and organizers hope to see 400 to 500 attendees.
"His wife has been by his side constantly," Cox explained. "She runs a day care, but she's had to step away to be with him. There are travel costs, food (and) lodging, and his kids rotate weekends to visit. It's meant a lot to him."
While medical bills are covered, the fundraiser aims to ease the financial burden of these additional expenses.
"Until he's completely recovered, you never know what those ongoing costs will be," Cox said. "We just want to help provide for that."
The community's response has been swift and heartfelt, reflecting the deep respect and admiration for Phillips and the vital role he plays in keeping Cedar City safe.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
