VIDEO: A classic symbol of firefighters rushing to a fire is on its way out. A quick visit to new fire stations in the Salt Lake Valley shows no more fire poles. More fire stations are being built without them, in this edition of Behind the Badge.
New fire stations in Utah, like #125 in Midvale, have everything you may expect: firefighters and fire trucks, but no fire pole. A traditional staple for fire stations, Unified Fire Authority Asst. Chief Zach Robinson said they never planned for one when building the new station. Robinson, who helped design the new Midvale station, said they’re phasing the pole out. “Right now with the construction phase we’re in, with one-story fire stations, it’s not been a necessary item for us,” said Robinson.