Ogden plans to put $2 million in wildfire reimbursements into its fire department

Ogden plans to direct about $2 million in wildfire reimbursements back into its fire department, KUTV reported. ^[1]

The money comes from the city fronting costs for crews sent to fires across Utah under a state contract. Fire Chief Mike Slater said the city covered upfront costs such as payroll, overtime, fuel and equipment, and expects reimbursement from the state and federal government. He said the program is about six months old. The Ogden City Council was set to consider a $3.6 million budget amendment that includes the roughly $2 million, KUTV reported. ^[1]

Slater said the deployments did not reduce local coverage because the city used reserve equipment and kept staffing steady. The reimbursements are expected to pay for wildland gear, equipment and training, and a planned $650,000 Type 3 wildfire engine would serve as a deployable backup and local wildland resource. Slater told KUTV he expects all the revenue to go directly to the fire department, and the council is expected to receive an accounting of the reimbursements. ^[1]