NNFD Fire Chief Job Announcement

North of the Narrows Fire District, located at Priest Lake, Idaho, has a current position available for an experienced District Fire Chief. As a District governed by Idaho Statute Title 31-14, the Board of Commissioners will select the successful candidate based on the knowledge, skills and abilities possessed by the applicant.

Responsibilities

The District Chief is the head of, and responsible for the operation, administration and coordination of the fire districts’ operations. Actively monitors radios and responds to dispatch. Acts with full command and authority as provided by law while at the scene of fires or alarms of fires or other emergencies within jurisdiction. Reports to the NNFD Board of Commissioners on staffing, equipment, facilities, dispatches and service, expenses, and budgetary needs.

Responsible for fire-code adoption and enforcement. Coordinates weekly summer training, and monthly off-season needs of the department. Actively writes and submits applications for grants. Serves as department spokesperson. Attends meetings, conferences, and training sessions to remain current on principles, practices and new developments. Maintains records, supervises and manages staff. Communicates and coordinates regularly to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of operations and activities.

Qualifications and Skills

· Experience supervising firefighting personnel

· Firefighter I and II certification

· Minimum 5 years related firefighting experience

· High School Diploma

· Basic knowledge of the techniques and procedures involving firefighting, CPR and basic first aid procedures and practices including the proper use of various types of equipment

· The ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally, and to conduct briefings at public meetings, hearings and other forums

· The ability to plan and prepare budgetary requirements

· The ability to conduct planning and to render sound professional solutions to operational problems

· The physical capability to operate the District’s equipment, the ability to lift 25 lbs. without limitation, and the ability to walk on rough ground and terrain in all weather conditions

· The present ability to operate heavy vehicles

· A valid driver’s license from the State of Idaho (CDL preferred)

· Basic computer skills

· Self-starter with limited over-site

· Reside within the boundaries of the Fire District

Compensation: The District Fire Chief is a paid position as an employee of the North of the Narrows Fire District. Compensation will be negotiated within current budgetary constraints. Position requires response availability 5 days a week with 2 weeks paid time off per year. Housing may be provided as part of compensation package.

Please submit letters of interest and resumes’ to:

North of the Narrows Fire District

P.O. Box 279

Coolin, ID 83821 Or email submissions to: northofthenarrowsfire@gmail.com

Bonner County EMS

September 7, 2024. Priest Lake Water Slides Rescue…BCEMS, Priest Lake Ambulance and North of the Narrows Fire District responded to a report of an injured person at the Lion Head trailhead water slides. This is obviously a beautiful area of our county but over the past few decades, can be quite dangerous and when it does, EMS responds. Due to the remote area Two Bear Air Rescue Helicopter as well as Lifeflight Network were contacted for assistance. Responders arrived and began treating the patient injuries. Two Bear Air Rescue was able to successfully hoist the patient to safety and transport to Coolin, and transfer care to Lifeflight Network crew members. In this remote section of Bonner County we are very fortunate to have the volunteers of Priest Lake Ambulance, Fire crews and the ability to request such an amazing resource like Two Bear Air Rescue! Thanks to our partners at #lifeflightnetwork for rapid transport of injured patients from this remote location. #7bEMS #priestlakeidaho

Help First Responders find your home!

First responders need to be able to find your residence at anytime, but especially in emergencies. The more you help make our job easier, the faster we can move through neighborhoods helping everyone. Install reflective address signs that we can see in the dark and through smoke.

Address identification:

Address identification shall be legible and placed in a position (Vertical or Horizontal) that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification shall be 4" Reflective number on a contrasting background. Signs can be blue, brown or green in color. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2". Where access is by means of a private road/drive and the residence cannot be viewed from the road/street, a monument pole shall be used to identify the residence. Address identification shall be maintained at all times.

Message from the Chief

Fourth of July fire safety in the Idaho Panhandle – “Know Before You Go”

A joint news release from the Idaho Department of Lands, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management

(Coeur d'Alene, ID) – With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, public land managers across the Idaho Panhandle want to remind visitors that fireworks, and the possession of fireworks, are prohibited on federal public lands, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Exploding targets and other pyrotechnic devices, such as Tannerite, are also prohibited on federal public lands in Idaho administered by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Drought conditions, unseasonably hot temperatures, and high fire danger levels are affecting many parts of northern Idaho. The National Weather Service office in Spokane describes this week as “likely [to] be one of the most extreme and prolonged heat waves in the recorded history of the Inland Northwest [that] will make our region increasingly vulnerable to wildfires and intensify the impacts of our ongoing drought.”

Each year, fire officials see a spike in human-caused wildfires, particularly around the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends, most often from unattended campfires, fireworks, dragging tow chains, driving on dry grass, and improper disposal of hot ashes and BBQ coals. To date, in the five northern counties of the Idaho Panhandle, there have been 88 wildfires, 76 of which were human-caused. Please remember these fire prevention tips when visiting ALL public lands:

Know before you go - Check online (IdahoFireInfo.com) or call about any fire restrictions or closures before venturing out. Several areas around Idaho are in or entering fire restrictions, which limit the use of fire.
Drown your campfire - Make sure your fire is "dead out" and cold to the touch before leaving your campsite or going to bed. Keep your campfire small and use a designated campfire ring when available and permissible.
Leave the fireworks at home - Fireworks are prohibited on federal public lands. During closed fire season (May 10 to October 20), it is illegal to throw away any lighted material, including fire crackers or fireworks on any forest or rangeland in the State of Idaho. (Idaho Code 38-117) Starting a wildfire by the use of fireworks is considered negligence, and the person who started the fire will be billed for the cost of fighting the fire. (Idaho Code 38-107)
Don’t be the spark - Do not drive or park on dry grass. Hot exhaust pipes or sparks can start a fire.
Check your chains - When pulling a trailer, be sure safety chains and other metal parts aren't hanging from your vehicle as these can drag and cause sparks.

Land management agencies are committed to a balanced fire program that will reduce risks and realize benefits of fire at the right time and place. Prescribed fire and fires for resource benefit are managed under very strict criteria, when both the science and resource availability align. Unfortunately, human-caused fires in populated areas and the wildland-urban interface are most commonly responsible for evacuations and property damage. This holiday weekend and always, do your part to prevent human-caused starts. Don’t let your summer go up in smoke!

See more wildfire prevention and preparedness tips at: https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation

A Message from Idaho Department of Lands

Idaho Burn Permits are required annually between May 10 and October 20. Obtaining a burn permit ensures your burn is in compliance with Idaho law (Idaho Code 38-115).

The North Valley and North Mountain Fire Managers have reviewed the current fire behavior conditions and indices and are moving the Fire Danger to Moderate for the Northern Valleys and Northern Mountains in Bonner and Boundary counties effective 1200 hours on Friday, June 14th, 2024. The current indices are 55.9 for the North Mountains which are just below the mid-range of Moderate, and31.6 which is mid-range of Moderate as well. Currently our burn piles are restricted to 5x5 (small piles) and burn barrels only. Please refer to the IDL burn permit website: www.burnpermits.idaho.gov or call the IDL/Pend Oreille Area Office at 208-263-5104 for the most up-to-date burn permit information. Spread the word.

Thank you Priest Lake Lions Club!

NNFD was the lucky recipient of a surprise visit and a generous donation this month from the Priest Lake Lions Club. We are so fortunate to have such amazing community support here at the lake! This donation will undoubtably assist us with improvements at the fire district, and is very much appreciated! Thanks again for your support.

Learn More

If you are interested in making a donation to NNFD, you can donate directly, or to Friends of NNFD which is a 501(c)3 charitable organization where your donation may be tax deductible.

Find out more

North of the Narrows Fire District

North of the Narrows Fire District

NNFD Fire Chief Job Announcement