Spanish Fork is adding 12 full-time firefighters through a federal grant of approximately $2 million, according to a November 3 report.
The hiring initiative will increase the fire department's full-time personnel from 36 to 48, according to KSL reported on Nov. 2, 2026.
The funding comes from FEMA's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. This program provides direct funding to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained front-line firefighters and meet national staffing and response standards.
According to KSL, the grant will be paid out over several years, and the city will be responsible for covering the positions once the grant concludes. City spokesman Jack Urquhart told KSL the city was overjoyed and stated that the grant fast-forwards staffing growth that would otherwise have occurred gradually over the next few years.
The expansion will change staffing levels for the city's two frontline engines. Both engines will be staffed by four firefighters per shift, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to KSL.
Fire Chief Eddie Hales told KSL that the grant helps safeguard local tax dollars without compromising the city's commitment to exceptional fire protection.
The city expects to fill these new positions during the first quarter of 2027.
Spanish Fork transitioned from part-time and volunteer staffing to a full-time department approximately five years ago. Since that transition, the city has hired 38 full-time fire and EMS personnel without raising property taxes, according to KSL.
The fire department operates out of two stations: Station 61 located at 370 N. Main St. and Station 62 located at 2635 E. Canyon Road.
