Press Release Dated: MAY 8, 2020
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue President Pam Houser has announced that the Board of Fire Commissioners has chosen Christopher Way as the District’s new Fire Chief. Way will assume his role on May 18, 2020.
Christopher Way has been an emergency service professional for 28 years. He has served in Fire and EMS roles in urban, sub-urban and rural settings. Currently, Chris is the Chief of the Kootenai County EMS System in Idaho, a fire-based EMS system responding to almost 20,000 requests for service annually. In addition to his full-time role as Chief he is involved at the local, regional, state and national level in advocacy and leadership for emergency services. Chris also has experience in disaster and incident management at the state and national level. He has a bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Relations and maintains all of his Fire and EMS licenses/certifications. Chris and his wife Jennifer live in Hayden, Idaho with their two daughters.
The selection comes at the conclusion of an extensive recruitment process, conducted by Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. Way will replace former Fire Chief Warren Merritt who retired in December, 2019.
Pam Houser
President of the Board of Fire Commissioners
Press Release Dated: October 2, 2019 - For Immediate Release
Prepared by Steven Isaacson - Division Chief/PIO
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Receives $1.1 Million Federal Grant for Public Safety
Post Falls, ID - Kootenai County Fire and Rescue has been awarded the Staffing and Adequate Fire and Emergency Services Response (SAFER) grant, which will fund a portion of newly hired firefighters salaries and benefits for three years. KCFR has requested additional funding for the six additional firefighter positions through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specifically to provide needed staffing to fill minimum firefighter positions on four primary fire response apparatus. At a Special Meeting on September 24, 2019 the Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously approved accepting the grant, a requirement under the program.
"We are thrilled to receive this award to strengthen our response to the community we are proud to serve and enhance the safety of our firefighters who deal with a myriad of emergencies on a daily basis; a top priority for our District." said Fire Chief Warren Merritt, "We are also thankful to our local elected officials and Federal representatives for showing their much needed support for our community that helps sustain the availability of this grant funding."
By combining SAFER awarded funds with dollars from our annual budget approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners, it will allow KCFR to add a third firefighter to our engines and ladder company. The additional staffing is a component designed to keep KCFR safe and efficient while responding to emergency situations in our community.
"We are so grateful to our congressional delegations for their crucial support of this vital grant," said Paul Wagner, President of the KCFR Fire Commission. "Public and responder safety is a top priority; with their support and this grant we will be able to offer improved services to our community."
KCFR will access the SAFER awards funds beginning in 2020 and receive additional award funds in 2021 and 2022.
FIRE DANGER: HIGH
OUTDOOR BURNING
As of 7/29/20, the summer burn ban is in effect. All permitted outdoor burning is closed (machine piled slash, hand piled slash, yard waste/orchard clippings, and burn barrels).
Fire Restriction Hotline: 1-844-433-4737 or idahofireinfo.com
If you should have any questions, please call our office at 208-777-8500.
HOW WILL YOU FIND OUT ABOUT LOCAL EMERGENCIES?
Sign up for Kootenai County emergency notification system.
By opting into the Alert! Kootenai emergency notification system, you will be informed before, during, and after incidents that could impact your safety.
For more information:
Online - www.kcgov.us/alertkootenai or (click here)
Phone - (208) 446-1850
E-mail - ENSsupport@kcgov.us
Next Board of Fire Commissioner's Regular Monthly Meeting
Monday, August 17, 2020 at 1600 hrs (4:00 pm)
JDTC Building at 5271 E. Seltice Way, PF
FY20-21 Proposed Budget Hearing
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 1600 hrs (4:00 pm)
Headquarters Building at 1590 E. Seltice Way, PF