Spanish Fork council updates municipal code to reference state fire code; approves hazmat cost-recovery ordinance

Spanish Fork City Council on Aug. 19 adopted ordinances that (1) update the municipal code to reference the current state fire code and add several operational provisions for fire and EMS response, and (2) authorize the recovery of city costs for hazardous-material incidents. The changes bring the city—s code into conformity with the state-adopted fire code, add local prohibitions (including impeding fire/EMS, driving over a hose and damaging emergency property), and create a local billing mechanism for extraordinary hazardous-material responses that the council said are expressly authorized by Utah law. Vaughn Pickell presented the fire-code ordinance, explaining the changes would correct an outdated reference, move the fire-code adoption into Title 8 of the city code, and add operational provisions including the authority for fire and EMS to use water sources in emergencies, blockade streets where needed, and require quick-access boxes (Knox-type boxes) for certain structures. He said the ordinance also makes it unlawful to obstruct or hinder fire or EMS personnel and to damage fire department property. Council discussion touched on enforcement; staff said enforcement would be by municipal citation and that police would typically handle citation activity while fire/EMS focus on emergency response. On a separate ordinance, staff presented a change allowing the city to bill a responsible party for expenses of personnel, equipment and consumables used to respond to hazardous-material incidents. Staff described these events as often long operations — sometimes 12 to 24 hours — when crews cannot leave a scene while a risk is mitigated. The ordinance removes a sentence and replaces it with explicit authority to recover costs; staff said the authority is expressly authorized by Utah State Code. Both ordinances passed on unanimous roll-call votes. The motion to approve the fire-code amendments was made by Councilman Euler and seconded by Councilman Marshall. The motion to approve the hazardous-material cost-recovery ordinance was made by Councilman Tooke and seconded by Councilman Euler; each passed with Yes votes from Councilwoman Beck, Councilman Oiler, Councilman Carden, Councilman Tooke, and Councilman Marshall. What this means: Fire and EMS have clearer local authority during emergencies and the city can seek reimbursement from responsible parties after major hazmat responses; citations and enforcement actions will be carried out via the municipal code process and typically enforced by police.