New fire station in Rathdrum to be built

RATHDRUM - A new fire station in Rathdrum will become reality thanks to a $1 million federal grant.

The Northern Lakes Fire District, which covers Hayden, Rathdrum and Hayden Lake, will be awarded the funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"There were 6,000 applications for the grants and we were one of the 106 fire districts that got one," said Larry Clark, district commissioner. "This will be a nice building for the city of Rathdrum and for the entire Northern Lakes district.

"We're very fortunate to grasp any federal funds in this day."

Clark said the district has saved $1 million in matching funds for the project. BNSF Railway a year ago donated nearly 3 acres valued at $660,00 along Highway 53 next to the current station for a new facility.

"It's costing us 35 cents on the dollar to build this," Clark said. "The other 65 cents is coming from grants or donations."

Construction on the 10,000-square-foot station may start in January, weather permitting.

"The station could open next summer," Clark said.

The station will feature living quarters, a kitchen, drive-through bays, a hazardous materials area and shop.

"We don't have a set of plans yet because we didn't want to spend money on them if we didn't get the grant," Clark said.

A requirement of the grant is that the building be energy efficient.

Clark said the existing station on Highway 53 will be used for storage.

"It's an old pole building built in the 1970s that was designed for volunteers," he said. "It was never made to house people 24-7. It has electrical problems, and it's probably one of the worst fire stations in Kootenai County."

Clark said Idaho's congressional delegation, particularly Rep. Walt Minnick's office, was instrumental in Northern Lakes getting the grant. Clark and firefighter Chris Larson applied for the grant with support from elected officials.

"We probably wouldn't have gotten the grant without our delegation's letters of support," Clark said.

Northern Lakes has two manned stations - in Hayden and Rathdrum - and four substations.