FAST FIVE: Pete Holley fuels passion for service through firefighting

Meet Pete Holley, the Fire Chief of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. 

Hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic in 2011, he worked his way up through the ranks before being pinned as chief in January 2026. He leads with three values he returns to often: service first, mentorship and trust. 

Beyond the department, Pete serves as Community Relationship Director for the Frank J. Harwood Initiative, a nonprofit supporting youth, first responders, and first responder families. 

He also serves as President of the First District Fire Chiefs Association, representing fire leadership across five north Idaho counties. Away from the job, Pete is a proud family man. He and his wife are raising five boys, a family built on strength, fortitude and a passion for life.

1) Why did you become a firefighter?

It started in high school. I attended a vocational technical school for fire science and that is where my love for the fire service and for helping people took root. 

As it does for so many, life happened. After graduation, I put it on hold and started a fence and deck construction business. But the fire service kept calling. 

When the 2008 recession hit, I finally listened and went back to what I always knew was my calling. I started volunteering with the fire department in Eagle and at the same time earned my associate degree in paramedicine through the College of Southern Idaho. 

In 2011, I was fortunate enough to be hired by Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. I have not looked back since.

2) What is your favorite thing about living in North Idaho?

The people. North Idaho is a place where neighbors still show up for each other and this past year solidified that for me. 

When this community is tested, it responds with heart. Add in the lakes, the mountains and the chance to raise my sons here and there is nowhere I would rather be.

3) What are your hopes for KCFR as a department when it comes to the future?

My hope is that we keep growing without losing who we are. Kootenai County is expanding fast, and we owe this community public safety it can count on as it does. We are building the next generation of leaders right now through mentorship, because the strength of this department has always been its people. 

I want KCFR to be a place firefighter are proud to spend a career, and one this community trusts on its worst day. Service first. 

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Most people know me as the fire chief, so they are surprised to learn I co-own a software company that builds tools for fire and EMS agencies. It was created right here in North Idaho and I am proud of that. 

It also feeds my serial entrepreneur spirit, which does not always get to come out in this job.

The company is called Batt3 Public Safety Solutions and was founded by Lee Holbrook and John Morrison in 2011.

We have two main software programs. One is a digital incident management program called ICx. It digitally tracks firefighters, assignments, benchmarks and countless other data points on emergency scenes, and existing to improve accountability and firefighter safety. 

The other program is called Fireroster, which is a rostering, scheduling and time management program built for the fire service. These two programs work seamlessly together to ensure the highest level of accountability and safety for our firefighters.

5) What is the most fulfilling thing of being a first responder?

The most fulfilling part is knowing we show up for people on the hardest day of their lives, and it matters. Early on it was the calls themselves. Now it is watching younger firefighters grow into people this community can lean on. That is the honor of this work.

    Pete Holley and his family pose for a picture at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
  

    Pete Holley shares his passion for the Broncos.
  

    Pete Holley, left
  

    Pete Holley went to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Sept. 20, 2025.