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Search-and-rescue teams and trail groups press for equipment and training in OHP grant presentations
Summary
Multiple applicants, including local fire districts, search-and-rescue teams and university trail programs, presented to the OHP advisory council seeking grant support for side-by-sides, UTVs, radios, trail crew staffing and training.
Several applicants and public commenters used the advisory meeting to describe how past and requested OHP grants support search-and-rescue capacity and trail maintenance.
Kevin Mann, fire chief of Northwell Fire District, thanked the council for a prior OHP award that purchased a side-by-side and an ATV. “That is a huge game changer for the things we do out there,” Mann said, adding that staged vehicles and personnel in popular recreation areas can sharply reduce response times. Northwell said it is preparing a follow-up application to fund additional equipment and a program to stage firefighters and equipment at high-traffic weekends.
Candace Hart, operations manager for Summit County Search and Rescue, said her team sought radios to expand communications coverage in backcountry and high-Uinta terrain. Hart said her agency provided a 30% match for the application, 15% from a nonprofit fundraising effort and 15% from county funds, and that volunteers make up most of the 46-person search-and-rescue team.
Suzette, representing Southern Utah University (SUU) and trail partnerships, said SUU submitted two grants to place student crews on the Fishlake and Dixie National forests to help maintain motorized trails and provide hands-on training for students. SUU asked for funding to support crew operations and noted that federal staffing shortfalls have reduced seasonal forest-service capacity.
Scott, vice commander for Grand County Search and Rescue, asked the council to prioritize at least one UTV award for his team after describing situations in which older vehicles failed during multiple simultaneous calls; he emphasized the practical need for reliable off-road transport during busy event weekends.
Why it matters: applicants described life-saving uses for equipment funded by OHP grants and argued that small-dollar awards can multiply through volunteer time and partner matching. Several speakers said training commitments are essential: applicants that receive motorized equipment also asked for operator training and certificates.
Staff and council members discussed training options and said division instructors and partner agencies can provide some certification. Jacob, a division trainer, said he would work with Northwell to craft a training plan if the council funded the equipment.
Ending: The advisory council scheduled time later in the meeting to review applications. Council members asked applicants to provide detailed match documentation and photos and reminded them that pre-award work must follow the newly adopted in-kind documentation standards to count toward match.
