Houser seeks reelection to KCFR Commission

Pam Houser announced her candidacy for the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Commission.

Houser has served on the commission since 2015 and as board president for the past two years. She participates in training opportunities, from safety to mental health, to better serve the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue district, said a news release announcing her candidacy.

"A Post Falls resident for more than 50 years, Houser has an extensive community service background," said the release. "She is known for being a fiscal conservative, handling multi-million-dollar budgets; with decades of service, she’s led boards through historical challenges during a recession and troubling inflation seasons while sticking to a lean budget."

Houser said she understands the growth in Kootenai County and uses her innovative strategic planning and negotiation skills to provide the tools first responders need in an emergency. She and the board treasurer led this year’s budget committee for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and utilized the recently passed safety bond to bring three new fire stations online and within budget.

"It’s important to me to see these projects reach completion,” Houser said in the news release. "Because of the incredible growth in our county, it was essential to update and expand vital equipment and keep up with increased 911 calls. We could give the community these things through the bond and conservative budgeting.”

The announcement noted Houser is an "effective communicator and well-respected among the public and community leaders."

"When tough negotiations are required, she seeks what is best for the residents in the entire fire district to provide excellent service to all," said the news release. "She has repeatedly served in this capacity while on the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Commission, earning stakeholders' respect."

Other organizations Houser has served are the Post Falls Food Bank board, Jobs Plus Action Committee/Coeur d'Alene Economic Development Corporation, HomeShare Kootenai County and the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce (as CEO and chairman of the board) and was instrumental in developing the River City Leadership Academy. She founded the Rich Houser Scholarship Fund, providing high school scholarships to local teens in memory of her late husband.

Houser is an active Real Life Ministries church member and vice president of community relations at Heritage Health. Her parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews and nieces live in Kootenai County.

“The opportunity to live and work in a community where my family and extended family live has been a gift," Houser said. "Serving the people of Kootenai County over many years in several capacities has been a privilege.”

Houser continues to meet with the public and actively seeks opportunities to serve the people throughout the Kootenai County Fire District. She has been endorsed by the Kootenai County Fire Fighters.