The Sandy City community celebrated the grand opening of the new Sandy Fire Department Headquarters - Fire Station 31, located at 9295 S. 255 West, on Oct. 11. Sandy City firefighters served up 3,000 pancakes and 1,000 sausages to those in attendance. The complimentary breakfast was a thank-you to residents who supported the bond to fund the essential public safety facility. Those attending the half-day celebration included Sandy City Mayor Monica Zoltanski, elected officials and staff, Sandy City firefighters and community members.         

"Our firefighters risk their lives daily,” Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski said. “They rush in when others rush out. As mayor and your city leader, my promise is our firefighters now have all the tools needed to return safely to their families after every shift.” (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

“This grand opening celebrates both our community’s legacy and our shared commitment to safety and progress,” Zoltanski said. “We’re proud of this investment in public safety and grateful to our residents for making it possible with their overwhelming support.” 

In November 2023, voters approved a $21-million bond to build the new fire station and to replace the deteriorating department headquarters at 9010 S. 150 East, which sustained structural damage during the 2020 earthquake. The bond received 67% voter support to fund the project from planning and design through to construction.

The new 31,000-square-foot facility is designed with Sandy's future needs in mind. Among its many unique features, the station prioritizes firefighter cancer prevention by incorporating modern technology, such as positive-pressure airflow in living spaces, decontamination showers and an airlock between bays and living spaces. These elements help to reduce firefighters exposure to carcinogens and diesel exhaust. Additionally, the facility is intended to serve as a hub for emergency response and community fire education.  

Those in attendance were invited to an open house filled with family fun, including a glide down the bright red fire slide, which Sandy firefighters will soon use in their day-to-day operations. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

“We definitely outgrew the fire station headquarters on 9000 South decades ago,” Zoltanski said. “We can say goodbye to leaky roofs, decaying infrastructure, a broken foundation and a complicated floor arrangement. The new Fire Station 31 rises on a plot of ground visible from I-15 at 9295 S. 255 West in the heart of the city’s downtown Cairns District. It is conveniently located near America First Field, the Mountain America Convention Center, and many high-occupancy businesses and housing complexes.” 

Zoltanski further explained, "In the coming years, there will be significantly more housing in this area, new restaurants, new businesses—all the things that shape a modern urban center. This area is the heart of our city's future growth, and we need a fire station that can support that growth. We are ready for it. Fire Station 31 is designed not just for today’s needs in Sandy City, but for the future needs of Sandy City."

According to Zoltanski, in 2022, the city was losing firefighters at a record rate. Many of those leaving were seasoned professionals—mid to upper-level career individuals who were familiar with every neighborhood in Sandy. One of the primary reasons for the decline in staff was insufficient resources for those who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line. However, the new fire station has raised safety standards to national levels. As a result, the city can now maintain a long-term force of community firefighters, who are essential to public safety. 

The Sandy City community celebrated the grand opening of the new Sandy Fire Department Headquarters - Fire Station 31, located at 9295 S. 255 West, on Oct. 11. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

"Our firefighters risk their lives daily,” Zoltanski said. “They rush in when others rush out. As mayor and your city leader, my promise is our firefighters now have all the tools needed to return safely to their families after every shift.”

Sandy City Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie was officially appointed to his position in July 2024. He has a long history with the Sandy City Fire Department, having served in various roles for more than 20 years. As fire chief, he understands firsthand the demands of the job—the long hours, the physical and emotional toll, and the unpredictability of every emergency. 

“Our firefighters don’t just work here; they live here during their shifts. They eat together, they train together, and they respond together as a family,” McConaghie said. 

Sandy City Councilmembers, Fire Chief Bruce Cline (retired,) Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie and Mayor Monica Zoltanski. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

“That’s why this building matters. It provides the space and resources to ensure their jobs are safe and effective. When we take care of our firefighters, they can take care of the community. But let me be clear: the real strength of this station will never be found in its walls; it will always lie in the men and women who protect lives day after day. To our community, thank you for trusting us and investing in us. We will continue to serve with honor and professionalism," McConaghie said. 

Breakfast was followed by a “fire hose-cutting ceremony,” flag raising, and the ringing of the 135-year-old historic fire bell, newly restored and installed at Station 31. The community was then invited to an open house filled with family fun, including a glide down the bright red fire slide, which Sandy firefighters will soon use in their day-to-day operations.