Job offer takes chief from South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue

The fire chief over two fire districts turned in his resignation June 23, calling his last day July 12. South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue chief Mark Havener will start a new job in the Portland area July 19--a surprising move for the fire commissioners at South Pend Oreille. "There was a number of people whose jaws hit the table when I made the announcement." Havener said. Havener anticipates the commissioners of South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue will officially accept his resignation at their regular meeting Tuesday, July 8. Havener proposed a transition plan for the district that will spread the fire chief's duties over other duty officers.  READ MORE

Voters will have an opportunity to choose to continue the excellent level of fire and emergency medical service delivery in South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue this coming August 17^th. The Board of Commissioners for South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue approved sending a levy request to the voters within the fire district to approve a levy to sustain funding for the fire district operations. The levy request will be for 98 cents per thousand of assessed value. This levy is not an additional levy. The proposed levy rate was developed to replace two excess levies that expire at the end of 2010 and replace the existing general levy. The levy equates to a property owner with an assessed property value of $100,000 paying $98.00 per year for fire and EMS response services.

The Lid Lift levy will enable the district to continue to fund the EMS operations across the districts 149 square mile area. Emergency medical service requests equate to 79% of annual run volume for the district. In 2009, the fire district responded to over 200 EMS requests. This represents an increase of 50% compared to 2008. The levy will also allow the district to continue the ongoing efforts of maintaining and updating the fleet of equipment that serves our communities from the 5 fire stations. READ MORE

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Volunteer Firefighters

If you feel you have what it takes to meet the challenges of South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue, we welcome you to join us. Please click on the link above to access online Volunteer Firefighter application information and forms, call our office at 509-447-5305, or stop by the Diamond Lake Station between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday to learn more about the time commitment, physical skills, and training needed to become a South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue Volunteer Firefighter.

Community Volunteers

509-447-5305

South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue

325272 Hwy. 2

Newport, WA 99156

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