Northern Lakes Fire District needs our support.
Guest Opinion by John Spencer of Hayden
It’s astonishing how population growth can gradually strain all critical support systems, including law enforcement and other first responders. This month, I intended to write about why we should support our first responders – the individuals and organizations that come to our aid in times of need and whom many of us often take for granted in our daily lives.
However, I realized that there is a more specific and practical focus worth highlighting: the highly efficient first responder organization known as Northern Lakes Fire District. As a resident within this fire district and a former fire commissioner in another state, I regularly attend the monthly commissioner meetings in Hayden, however, I am neither a firefighter, EMT, nor an employee. The meetings provide valuable insight into the challenges faced by the responders and leaders we depend on.
Background
The Northern Lakes Fire District spans 108 square miles, encompassing lakes, mountains, prairies, and a growing population of over 60,000. It provides emergency services for Hayden, Rathdrum, Twin Lakes, and Garwood. The district currently operates two stations, with a third under construction and a fourth located at the airport.
Northern Lakes Fire has managed to increase its personnel from 29 suppression employees in 2005 to 51 suppression employees in 2023, including four chiefs, one mechanic, and a fire marshal. This impressive expansion was achieved through professional financial planning without any increase to the levy rate on property. Good budgeting, impact fees, and federal grants were utilized.
Northern Lakes was awarded a SAFER grant from FEMA of $4,510,541.82 to hire 12 firefighters to staff a third station 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for three years. This funding is solely for personnel, focusing on enhancing fire and emergency response capabilities. It’s important to note that there has been a 53% increase in call volume since 2005 and a 66% increase in population within the covered areas.
Where We Are Today
Emergency services in the Northern Lakes Fire District are provided by firefighters working on a three-battalion rotation. Each battalion works a rotating 48/96 schedule of two 24-hour shifts on-duty and 96 hours off-duty. Each battalion is comprised of a Battalion Chief, three Captains, three Engineers, and ten Firefighters. The district currently staffs three engines from two stations 24/7.
The SAFER grant 3-year funding that was awarded in 2022 ends in 2025, and thanks to these funds the Northern Lakes District has been able to improve performance in numerous ways. The third station, located in the Garwood area (under construction), will be staffed with two medics and two firefighter EMTs. Opening this third station may also reduce insurance premiums for some homeowners.
The Fire District has attempted multiple tax levy overrides to increase service and improve response times throughout our fire district, failing five times since 2012. They have listened to the public’s demand to make growth pay for itself and be fiscally responsible with tax dollars.
The district’s ballot initiative would increase the levy rate to $0.94 from $0.62, resulting in a $3.5 million increase to the base budget. If this initiative is approved by the voters, it would:
- Retain the 12 SAFER firefighters and employees.
- Retain the third engine company.
- Add eight additional firefighters to the airport fourth fire station.
- Continue plans for an additional station.
- Add additional administrative personnel for the increased workforce.
Without this base budget increase, Northern Lakes will need to reduce its workforce by the 12 SAFER positions, as well as any officers promoted to lead the extra company, returning to 2018/19 staffing levels and closing the new station that was funded completely through Fire Department Impact Fees and not tax dollars from existing taxpayers.
In my opinion, approving this Fire District initiative represents an investment in the future safety of our communities. Community organizations, like a fire district that is conscious of the needs, reduces waste, and manages your hard-earned tax dollars, is worth supporting. Let’s keep the staffing levels, improvements, and progress by voting YES for the base budget increase.
John Spencer is a former US Army Officer and Aviator with 26 years of service. He is a published author who currently sits on two Hayden commissions, volunteers at the Farragut shooting range as a Range Safety Officer, and enjoys the beauty of North Idaho with Marti, his wife of 30 years.
