Northern Lakes Fire builds community through open houses

HAYDEN – People got to know their firefighters and emergency responders Saturday at an open house at the Northern Lakes Fire District fire station in Hayden.

Over 100 families came by. Parents and children had the opportunity to learn the basics of CPR, participate in Stop the Bleed training, and meet Smokey Bear and their local firefighters.

Representatives from Life Flight, Emergency Management of Kootenai County, Kootenai Health and Suicide Prevention Action Network were on hand to speak with the community and answer questions from the community.

Northern Lakes Fire Chief Pat Riley called Saturday’s open house “critically important” as it was the first open house since the pandemic.

“The community can see who we are and what they’re paying for,” Riley said. “This is 100% for them.”

“This is a chance for us to get to know our community and the people we serve every day,” said Daniel Atkisson, NLFD chaplain.

The Northern Lakes Fire District hopes to pass a special levy that would increase its base budget by $3.5 million per year to “reduce response times, improve firefighter safety and ensure the community receives the highest levels of fire safety.” fire and rescue services. to a press release sent out in July.

However, the levy was not on the NLFD’s mind at the open house on Saturday.

“We may have a levy vote coming up, but that’s not why we’re here,” said Fire Chief and Local 4045 Union President Jarrod Pitts. “We are not here to spread a political message. We want people to know we are here for them.”