POST FALLS - Another year, another record of calls for service for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

The agency, which serves the Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Stateline, Fernan Village, Huetter and Wolf Lodge areas, responded to 4,496 calls in 2009, including 2,961 EMS/rescue calls and 1,535 mutual aid, hazmat and false alarms.

"We're on a steady incline, but it's not as steep as previous years," Chief Ron Sampert said of the recently released report.

The 1 percent jump from 4,408 calls in 2008 is a far cry from the 8 to 11 percent hikes during previous years when the area's growth spurts were higher.

KCFR's fire marshal's office had 366 building inspections, 506 annual fire inspections and 119 new commercial construction inspections.

"Our fire marshal's office was not as busy as it has been when the economy was robust, but it still was busy," Sampert said.

The agency, which has 55 full-time employees and seven stations serving about 44,000 people over 113 square miles, logged a total of 20,086 training hours. It also provided public education and community events to more than 11,000 residents.

At its recent annual banquet, Capt. Ben Theard and public information specialist/firefighter Jim Lyon won the Dedication and Devotion award, the highest honor given by the district.

"Jim is, first and foremost, a care provider who regularly shares his dedication to public safety and his devotion to our profession with thousands of children through his yearly educational visits to schools and his station tours," a letter signed by several employees states. "Tireless also describes Jim as he serves our displaced customers after major fires and incidents as well as coordinates and sweats over to open houses each year."

Lyon will also receive the Firefighter of the Year award during next week's American Legion banquet.

Theard was nominated by Lt. Larry Sande.

"Capt. Ben Theard's personal integrity, professionalism and loyal dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service," Sande wrote.

Nancy Force will be named Paramedic/EMT of the Year at the Legion dinner. She logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours in 2009, served at the fair and other events, trained 79 hours and responded to more than 476 incidents.

Other award winners include:

n Rookies of the Year - firefighters Zane Denison, Adam Godwin and Kyle Nagel;

n Most Improved - Seth Hohenstreet;

n Commissioners Award - Rick Clutter;

n Business of the Year - Idaho Asphalt Supply (donated $10,000 to KCFR);

n Continuous Service - Jackie Sharp (15 years); Theresa Griffith, Adam Knight and Heath Sheppard (10 years); and Reanne Capaul (five years);

n National Head Start Corporate Award - KCFR nominated after winning the area, state and regional awards;

n American Legion state award - Ryan Asher; and

n National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Seal of Excellence - Justin Capaul.