Fire Dist. 4 going it alone

A rural Pend Oreille County Fire District is figuring out a new way of providing emergency services to its residents. After nearly 50 years of contracting with a neighboring county’s fire district for protection, the ties will be severed.

Fire commissioners for Spokane County Fire District No. 4 – which serves the northern portion of the county including the Mead area – decided they’ve grown to the point that all resources need to be focused on the constituents they serve.

“It’s sad to see the partnership go away, but now we are excited to establish our own (fire protection services),” said Linda Vosahlo, a Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 1 commissioner.

The 22-square mile area with about 300 people won’t be left unprotected while officials and residents determine the best option for coverage, officials said. The Pend Oreille County fire district has until at least the end of 2008.

And possibly through 2009, said Joe Krizanic, a Spokane County Fire District No. 4 deputy chief. “Our board has agreed to extend the contract as long as that district is making progress,” he said.

Currently, the Spokane County fire district responds to about 30 calls in Pend Oreille County, mostly medical, Spokane County Fire District No. 4 Chief Ed Lewis said.

Vosahlo explained options now are being considered, and committees have been formed to help.

Also, two public meetings were held to hear the public’s opinion. The meetings held at Camden Grange Hall were attended by about 200 people in the area, officials said.

At first people were upset and confused, Lewis said. But by the end of it, they were ready to get together and support a new station.

Vosahlo said the considerations submitted to the public included the fire district establishing its own station, as well as counting on protection from the surrounding Pend Oreille fire districts.

Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 1 is surrounded by three other of its county’s fire districts. The nearest one is six miles away, Vosahlo said.

But building a fire station seems to be the most popular option.

“There are a lot of small districts in the area that have been able to get up a fire station and maintain it with less money than we get,” Vosahlo said. Pend Oreille Fire District No. 1’s tax base is $23,000 per year, she said.

The fire district has a reserve fund of $150,000 to get started on a fire station, Vosahlo said. Plus, there have already been offers from people willing to donate land and help build a station. Pend Oreille would also need to find or purchase fire trucks and equipment.

As far as staffing a station, it would be all volunteers, officials said.

John Galley, a member of one of the Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 1’s committees, said “a great number people are signing up to volunteer” for everything a station might need.