District readies for cadet program
Northern Lakes Fire District first cadet class trains for a structure fire.
Photo courtesy Northern Lakes Fire District
The Northern Lakes Fire District is bringing back its 72-hour cadet program this fall.
Designed for high school students interested in firefighting, the program is set to run two Sundays a month from fall through spring. It will culminate in a three-weekend academy, where cadets will gain hands-on experience in hose deployment, search and rescue operations, ladder techniques, extrication and fire suppression.
Firefighters Mike Cunningham and Shay Carlock, both former cadets, developed and will oversee the program, according to a press release.
"This initiative reflects their dedication to fostering the next generation of community-minded firefighters," the release said.
The program's success is highlighted by three cadets, Alexander Jones, William Robinson and Ethan Rusche, who completed their first year May 5 and will continue as senior cadets. They will mentor the incoming class, sharing lessons from their journey and the importance of service and skill development in the fire service, the release said.
In addition to training future firefighters, the Northern Lakes Fire District is participating in Wildfire Preparedness Month. To educate the public on fire safety and preparedness, the fire district has scheduled several events in May. It will showcase its fireboat with a demonstration from 5 to 7 p.m. May 16 at Hayden Lake Marina.
A free class on creating defensible spaces will be held at New Leaf Nursery, 12655 N. Government Way, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 17. Register at New Leaf's Facebook event page.
Idaho Fire Wise, the Idaho Department of Lands, the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management and the U.S. Forest Service will join Northern Lakes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at New Leaf.
"This is a prime opportunity for residents to engage with experts on how to best prepare for the upcoming fire season," the release said.
Open burning closed Friday and burn permits will be required through Oct. 20. With some local exceptions, this free permit is essential for burning outside city limits and all of Northern Lakes Fire District, including the cities of Hayden, Hayden Lake and Rathdrum.
"Given the lower-than-normal snowfall and dry conditions this spring, it is crucial to maintain vigilance," the release said.
To apply for a burn permit visit burnpermits.idaho.gov.