CEDAR CITY — Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips was recently recognized for nine years of service on the state Fire Prevention Board.
Utah State Fire Marshal Ted Black presented a commemorative plaque to Phillips at the fire station at 291 N. 800 West on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Phillips was also recognized publicly during the Cedar City Council meeting the following evening.
Contacted later via telephone, Black told Cedar City News that service on the board is usually limited to two four-year terms, but Phillips stayed on an extra year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phillips began serving on the board in 2014, the same year he became Cedar City Fire Department’s fire chief. He previously served as the department’s fire marshal.
“Mike, as you know, is a very busy man,” Black said. “And so this was truly taking on something extra. And it’s not that the other things go away. You just have to work harder.”
Black said the board has the authority to write rules and make recommendations to the Utah Legislature regarding the statewide fire code.
“They also serve as an appeals board to my office,” Black added. “It’s a pretty important position and Mike did a great job.”
Black called Phillips “a huge asset to Cedar City and the fire department there.”
“He served faithfully and acted in the best interests of the state of Utah,” he said.
Phillips also spoke briefly about the recognition, saying, “It was a pleasure to serve on that board and to look out for the safety of the residents of the state of Utah.”
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