Northern Lakes Fire reflects on the fate of 'Lucky 13' with upcoming levy
Fire Captain Jarrod Pitts readies himself at a training burn for Northern Lakes Fire District in May.
Courtesy photo
Northern Lakes Fire District is proposing a two-year override levy to increase its base budget by $3.5 million per year in the upcoming Nov. 5 election. This measure aims to counter the potential loss of staff members when a grant expires in March 2026.
The district, which covers a 108-square-mile area, has seen a 68% increase in emergency calls since 2013. Currently, 52 firefighters/EMTs make up three crews, responding to about 6,000 emergency calls annually from stations in Hayden, Rathdrum and the surrounding area.
Dan Parrish, one of the "Lucky 13" hired through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, expressed concern about maintaining adequate staffing.
"The 'Lucky 13', as we call ourselves, are all driven to proudly serve our community," Parrish said. Later, he added, "Many of our number have moved across the country to be part of the North Idaho way of life."
Jarrod Pitts, fire captain and Local 4045 union president, warned that failing to secure the levy could result in a return to pre-COVID response capabilities with fewer available units.
"It's impossible to predict when those emergencies are going to happen. The only way to be adequately prepared for emergency response is to have more people available to respond when the call comes in," Pitts said.
A similar $2 million permanent override levy failed three years ago, receiving 60.66% of the vote. Idaho law requires a supermajority of 66 2/3% for a permanent override levy to pass.
Northern Lakes Fire will host a town hall meeting Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Lakeland High School Commons in Rathdrum to discuss the levy. The meeting will address the potential loss of 13 positions and the possible closure of the third staffed station if the measure doesn't pass.
Pitts noted that as the district's population grows, the cost per taxpayer reduces, as the fire district levies the overall amount annually rather than individual rates.
By the numbers
Current levy rates and rates if the levy was enacted:
Current Levy Rate: $62 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value
Proposed Levy Rate: $94 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value
Cost for Median Home: $32.77 per month