NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
by Aaron Sainsbury, South Jordan Emergency Manager
Are You Ready? Let’s Get Prepared Together
September is National Preparedness Month, and it's a great reminder that emergency readiness starts with YOU— your home, your workplace, and your community. Emergencies can strike without warning, and your personal preparedness today can make a lifesaving difference tomorrow. It’s also a great time to check your emergency kits at home, in your car, and at work. Be sure to replace expired food, water, and batteries, and update important documents and contact information.
But remember: readiness is more than just being prepared at home. As a general rule-of-thumb, when an emergency occurs:
• You have a 50% chance of being home
• A 25% chance of being at work
• And a 25% chance of being somewhere else
South Jordan is a Beautiful City with Real Risks
Our city is vibrant and growing, but like any city, it’s not immune to disasters. Whether caused by nature or by human action, emergencies are possible here. Here's a look at the potential hazards in South Jordan:
Natural Hazards
• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Wildfires
• Drought
• Tornadoes
• Winter storms
Human-Caused/ Technological Hazards
• Hazardous material spills
• Power outages
• Cyberattacks
• Thunderstorms
• Heat waves
• Severe weather
• High winds/ microbursts
• Pandemic/ epidemic
• Dam failure
• Civil disturbances
• Aircraft incidents
• Terrorism or criminal acts
So…What Will the City Do for Me in a Disaster?
In the event of a catastrophic disaster, South Jordan City will work to restore critical infrastructure like water, roads, public safety, and sanitation that you rely on every day. However, the City’s resources will be limited and focused on the greatest need. Here are some numbers and stats that help illustrate that point.
What our city looks like by the numbers:
• Population: 89,963 (as of July 1, 2025)
• Size: 25.8 square miles
• Residential Homes: 24,306
• Businesses: 1,389 (+471 home-based)
• Schools: 15 public, 9 private/charter
• Hospitals/Clinics: 2 medical centers
(U of U SJ Health Center, SJ VA Clinic)
• City Buildings: 12 municipal buildings
That’s a lot of ground to cover. In a large emergency event, South Jordan’s four fire stations and full police force would be ready to respond. The City also has more than fifty public works staff who would begin emergency care of the 425 miles of water main lines, 416 miles of streets, and 267 miles of storm drain infrastructure throughout the city. But we can’t be everywhere at once.
In Short: We’re Ready to Help, But We Need You Too
With over 89,000 residents, thousands of homes and businesses, and a limited number of emergency staff, it may take time for help to reach everyone in a widespread disaster.
That’s why personal preparedness is vital. And even more important is community preparedness, which includes helping your neighbors and especially seniors, people with disabilities, those who live alone, and families with young children.
In the critical first hours and days after a disaster, your neighbors may be
What You Can Do Today:
• Build or refresh your emergency kit (home, car, work)
• Make a plan for communication and reunification
• Store water (1 gallon per person per day for 96 hours or more)
• Learn basic first aid and CPR
• Get to know your neighbors
• Sign up for City of South Jordan alerts and follow us on social media
• Practice a family or neighborhood disaster drill
Let’s “Flip the Script” this
SENIOR CENTER MONTH
ThisSeptember, South Jordan joins the National Council on Aging in celebrating Senior Center Month under the theme “Powering Possibilities: Flip the Script.” It’s a call to challenge outdated stereotypes of aging and senior centers, and here in South Jordan, we’re already doing just that.
Our Senior Programs are vibrant, active, and full of opportunity. From group fitness classes and art workshops to engaging clubs and hot daily lunches, we provide a welcoming place where friendships grow and lives are enriched. Aging simply means we’re entering a new chapter in our lives, and our center celebrates it with purpose,
connection, and joy.
Ageism, which is the tendency to judge or limit people based on age often goes unnoticed, but it affects how we see ourselves and others. By recognizing and addressing it, we can foster a community that values every stage of life.
All month, we’re showcasing a Senior Art Show and hosting weekly events, including a Patriotic Lunch (Sept 11), Fall Banquet with prizes (Sept 18), and a Health & Wellness Fair (Sept 25) in honor of Fall Awareness Week. Come see what aging really looks like in South Jordan; it’s not what you expect, and that’s the point.
your most immediate source of help. The stronger our community ties, the more resilient we all are.
Together, we can build a safer, stronger, more resilient South
ThisSeptember, South Jordan City is piloting a Neighborhood Fall CleanUp Event to help residents beautify their neighborhoods at no cost! Residents can request free dumpsters for either September 11–15 or September 19–22 by filling out a request form by the deadlines: September 5 for the first weekend and September 12 for the second.
Dumpster requests will be selected based on when they were submitted, the type of project, how many neighbors are involved, and the project’s overall impact. Priority will go to projects that include multiple households. Examples include flipping park strips on an entire street, garage clean-outs, or small construction projects shared by several homes.
If your project is selected, one responsible person
Jordan. When disaster strikes, we rise by lifting each other. Let’s make this September the month we get ready, not just for ourselves, but for those around us.
will sign a contract for the dumpster rental. This is a pilot event and part of the City’s effort to support resident-led improvement projects in a meaningful, cost-effective way.
Residents can still use the standard Neighborhood Dumpster Program, which provides dumpster rentals starting at $40/day or $80 for a weekend/holiday. Visit sjc.utah.gov/dumpsterrental to learn more and apply.
Let’s clean up South Jordan together, one neighborhood at a time!
11–22
City Event Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2025
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 PM
City Hall at 1600 W. Towne Center Dr. & Online
sjc.utah.gov/city-council
KILLER KEYZ DUELING PIANOS (PG-13)
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Community Center, 10778 S. Redwood Rd.
sjc.utah.gov/637/Killer-Keyz-Dueling-Pianos
GET TO THE RIVER FESTIVAL 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fishing Ponds & Mulligans
sjc.utah.gov/578/Get-to-the-River
SENIOR PROGRAMS: PATRIOTIC LUNCH
11:30 PM
Community Center, 10778 S. Redwood Rd.
Space is limited. Call 801-302-1222 to reserve a spot.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 PM
City Hall at 1600 W. Towne Center Dr. & Online
sjc.utah.gov/city-council
SENIOR PROGRAMS: FALL BANQUET
11:30 AM
Community Center, 10778 S. Redwood Rd.
Space is limited. Call 801-302-1222 to reserve a spot. MORE INFO AT SJC.UTAH.GOV
SOJO QUILT SHOW
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Inside City Hall during Farmers Market
Pre-registration required by September 10
PARENT & PIRATE DATE NIGHT
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Field West of Community Center, 10778 S. Redwood Rd.
Pre-registration required
SENIOR PROGRAMS: HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Community Center, 10778 S. Redwood Rd.
Open house. No reservation needed.
As the days grow shorter and we head into fall, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible summer we’ve had here in South Jordan. Our community has enjoyed exciting new additions, including several new restaurants; the Megaplex Cinema Entertainment Center, featuring luxury theater seating, a bowling alley, and an arcade; six new pickleball courts, and a fantastic summer musical.
This year’s SoJo Summerfest was our biggest and best yet. We had to move it to the northwest end of City Park to better accommodate the thousands who attend. Our very popular Movies in the Moonlight series was also moved to a larger park to meet the growing demand and provide more amenities for attendees.
Our SoJo Race Series continues to be a favorite, with hundreds of walkers, runners, and participants of all ages joining in our themed ruck, 5K, & 10K races. Mulligans has been rockin’ with golfers of all ages enjoying the upgrades we’ve been making there, and the South Jordan Farmers Market is off to a great start with fresh produce and outstanding local vendors. We’ve also had the chance to connect through events beyond those hosted by the City. Thousands of residents have enjoyed cheering on the Salt Lake Bees at their new home right here in South Jordan, and the plaza at America First Square has been “buzzing” with activity. One of my favorite evenings was when the Utah Symphony performed on the new Rio Tinto Kennecott Stage. It was their first performance ever in South Jordan and a truly special night to share with so many of you. Thank you to the Larry H. Miller Company for sponsoring that event.
The Pioneer Day Celebration put on by Glenmoor Golf
by Dawn R. Ramsey
Course has become a beloved tradition, drawing thousands of residents with food trucks, face painting, apparel making, bounce houses, and spectacular fireworks. It was a perfect way to celebrate and we enjoyed spending it with so many of you.
The USU Bastian Agricultural Center also hosted dozens of events over the summer, including the Salt Lake County Junior Livestock Auction. I loved being there with so many of our young folks as they proudly showed the animals they raised all summer. I am truly grateful our kids still have opportunities to celebrate our agricultural roots here in South Jordan.
As we look ahead to the coming months, the City has many more exciting activities planned to carry us through the fall and into the holiday season of 2025.
Our South Jordan City Farmers Market continues to run every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM through October 11. In partnership with the Utah Farm Bureau, we offer the freshest local produce, and we hope you’ll come enjoy all the Farmers Market has to offer.
The South Jordan Quilt Show is coming up on September 20 and we’re looking for talented quilters to showcase their work! Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just getting started, we’d love to see your creations on display. The Quilt Show will take place alongside the Farmers Market at South Jordan City Hall. To participate, please register by September 10.
Our SoJo Race Series is in full swing. Upcoming events include the SoJo Halloween Fun Run on October 18, the SoJo Turkey Run on November 15, and the SoJo Santa Sprint on December 13. You can visit our website for details and registration. We look forward to having
many of you join us for our very popular Pumpkin Promenade on October 25-26, featuring free donuts and cider (while supplies last). Want to enter our pumpkin carving and decorating contest? Pick up a free pumpkin at the Gale Museum October 21-24, again, while supplies last. Each year, the creativity we see is incredible! We also offer great music, “Instagrammable” photo spots for your perfect fall selfie, and, in most years, beautiful fall weather. South Jordan is proud to host the best free Halloween event around, and we hope to see you there!
In November, we proudly honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans. Each year, we host a breakfast near Veterans Day for veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Keep an eye out for updates and details as the date approaches. It’s one of my favorite events of the year.
And mark your calendars for our annual Light the Night celebration on Friday, December 5. With beautiful candy window displays, a gingerbread house contest, live music, visits from the North Pole, and dozens of family-friendly activities, it’s one of our favorite South Jordan traditions. We’ll also have countless other activities hosted by local businesses, schools, and nonprofits. The National Day of Service is coming right up, and we’ll have another play performed at our community center this fall. The annual
Sounds of the Season community choir concert will be in December, and once again, Walmart will host the Jordan Education Foundation Christmas For Kids event. There will be little league sports, city recreational programming, musicals, swim meets, basketball games, school performances, ice skating at America First Square, plus “Friday Night Lights” at our high schools. You really can find just about anything you’re looking for, right here in South Jordan. This is just a taste of what the City is offering this year, so I encourage you to stay connected through our city website, social media channels, and The Focus to keep up with event details and opportunities to get involved. Whether you participate by attending, volunteering, or helping spread the word, YOU are the reason we have such amazing success with our community programs. Thank you to each of you for making South Jordan such a welcoming, family-centered, and forward-looking city. I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished together so far this year and excited for all that’s yet to come. Our exceptional quality of life is just one of the many reason’s South Jordan is the highest ranked city in Utah and once again named one of the best cities to live in America, per the latest 2025 ranking by U.S. News and World Report.* Here’s to continuing to build a city where people love to live, work, and play, all year round.
*realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live
PUT THE PHONE AWAY
Most of our crashes happen around intersections due to drivers not obeying stop signs and traffic signals, or because they are distracted by something or someone inside the vehicle. Please put distractions away. If you need to look at map directions, make a phone call, or read/send a message, please pull off the roadway at a safe location.