Park City Fire District Chief Paul Hewitt passed away Friday from injuries suffered in an accident during a family vacation. He was 58 years old.
According to a statement from the fire district, Hewitt passed away at a hospital in Eugene, Oregon, Friday afternoon. He was being treated for injuries suffered on Monday in an off-road vehicle accident while on vacation with his family.
The fire district announced on Thursday that Hewitt was in critical condition before announcing his passing Friday afternoon.
Prior to joining the Park City Fire District in February, 2011, Hewitt was with the Salt Lake City Fire Department for 20 years.
The fire district released a statement late Friday, saying Hewitt “served with great dedication. He set an example of true leadership and touched so many with his genuine personality and compassion for others. He will be greatly missed by the Park City Fire Department family.”
In addition to his duties as fire chief, Hewitt was also a member of the Park City Rotary club where he participated in several activities that served the community.
Hewitt was always very responsive to the community – He was the first person to call in to the KPCW studio the morning of March 18th, 2020, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Salt Lake City, and the shaking was felt in the Park City and Summit County area. Hewitt was very calm, and told our listeners what happened and how they could stay safe.
Hewitt was also an avid runner and took physical fitness very seriously, not only for himself, but for his staff, and emphasized physical health for first responders.
The fire district asks that the public keep Chief Hewitt's family in their thoughts and respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.
KPCW will report on memorial service plans for Hewitt when those details become available.
