SLCC denies claims they knew about fire captain’s alleged sexual abuse of EMT students

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake Community College is denying claims made in court that it knew a fire captain teaching EMT and CPR had been accused of touching students inappropriately and it did nothing about it.

“You know why? Because another student reported it, not only with SLCC, but UVU. And they were aware of that,” one victim claimed on the stand, during this week’s pretrial hearing.

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Seven victims took the stand against former Salt Lake City Fire Captain Christopher Burk, accusing him of taking things too far when he touched them, under the guise of demonstrating medical training. The allegations of forcible sex abuse span several locations where he taught CPR and EMT certification classes, including SLCC, Utah Valley University, Canyons Technical Education Center, a Salt Lake fire station and KSL.

That same victim testified that when she reported the October 10 incident, an employee in SLCC’s Title IX office said they already knew this was going on.

“She said out of her own mouth, ‘I am probably not supposed to be telling you this, but, yes, he’s done it before, just not here,'” the victim recounted in her testimony. “But she lied. He did do it there. In the summer semester, before I got there in the fall.”

However, SLCC sent KSL NewsRadio a detailed timeline, showing that student did not meet with the dean to report the incident until Nov. 20. Burk was placed on administrative leave the next day, Nov. 21. The victim did an intake interview on the matter with the Title IX office a week later, on Nov. 26.

It was between those two meetings that SLCC said it got wind of rumors about incidents with Burk at other schools. It said the associate dean over SLCC’s EMT program immediately notified the Title IX office after learning of the rumor that Burk had been fired by UVU.

“At the time when Christopher Burk was hired by SLCC in July of 2024, and during his 3 ½ months at the college, SLCC administration was unaware of any accusations or charges regarding sexual abuse until the student came forward,” the college said in a statement.

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In the email sent to KSL NewsRadio, the school reiterated it took every step necessary to prioritize student safety and wellbeing, as evidenced by the fact Burk was put on administrative leave right after the student reported it, and Burk was fired after he was arrested.

“SLCC terminated Mr. Burk’s employment after learning that law enforcement had already completed an investigation, that Mr. Burk had been criminally charged, and that Mr. Burk had been arrested,” SLCC’s email reads. 

Here is the timeline of events, based on information provided by SLCC, Sandy police, and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office:

• Oct. 10 — Incident of alleged sexual assault
• Nov. 20 — Student reports accusation of sexual assault to SLCC’s dean
• Nov. 21 — SLCC places Burk on administrative leave, pending an investigation
• Nov. 22 — The associate dean over SLCC’s EMT program notifies the Title IX office about a rumor Burk had been fired by UVU for sexual misconduct
• Nov. 26 — Victim’s Title IX meeting for an official intake, where staff member shared the rumor they had learned
• Late December — Sandy police are actively investigating Oct. 10 incident. They have a hard time finding and arresting Burk. Police petition a judge for a sealed arrest warrant and enlisted the joint Violent Fugitive Apprehension Team to surveil Burk’s residence 
• Jan. 24 — Sandy police are informed by SLCC about a second student incident, which had allegedly occurred in August
• Jan. 29 — Burk arrested using a traffic stop; Salt Lake County District Attorney files charges against Burk
• Jan. 30 — SLCC fires Burk
• Five other victims come forward after news was announced

Burk is scheduled for another hearing on April 15. At that hearing, the judge is expected to set a trial date.