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96 South Main Street, Nephi, Utah 84648 - Voice: 435 623-0525 - FAX: 435 623-4735 News for June 18, 2025 |
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By Myrna Trauntvein Homeland Security wants communities to have hazmat technicians. “We now have three certified in the budget,” said Juab County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant and Emergency Manager Drake Underwood. “To obtain a hazmat endorsement in Utah, you need to pass a hazmat theory knowledge exam, undergo a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) background check, and complete a hazmat application,” said Underwood. The three hazmat technicians now need hazmat suits to protect them when, and if, they are called upon to need them, he said. The cost to outfit all three will be $8,500 and Underwood said that he had planned for the gear in his budget. “We will need to approve this item next commission meeting because it is not on the agenda, said Clinton Painter, commissioner. “I want to notify you that we have been approved for a $13,400 grant,” said Underwood. The money will be used to purchase sonar detection and a pontoon boat for the search and rescue team, he said. The equipment will be used for water rescue and recovery. He said that it was not in the budget because it was a new grant and had not been planned for at budget time. “We can do a budget amendment later,” said Painter. “We are rehabbing the emergency response vehicle,” he said. “We couldn’t save the hazmat suits because they were too old.” Painter made the motion to approve the purchase for the search and rescue team. Marty Palmer, commissioner, made the second and all voted in favor. Later in the meeting during the public comment period, he made a plea for people to join search and rescue. “We have 18 vacancies right now,” said Underwood. “We would love to have some members from Eureka.” There are 26 members currently, and they could have up to 40. Five are honorary members. Both males and females were welcome, he said. They had usually participated in the upcoming Silver Days parade. Underwood said that they met once a month in Nephi at 7:30 p.m. and were usually out in time for those from Eureka to be home before bedtime. “We have 80 percent response on call-outs,” he said. They were adding more to the search and rescue portfolio, he said, For example, they were adding the water search and rescue. “During Memorial Day, we were able to find a small boy who had wandered away,” said Underwood. He said that nothing could replace that joy.
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