POST FALLS - Funding for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's reserve unit will end on April 1, ending a program with roots dating back nearly a century ago when all Post Falls had was volunteer firefighters.

KCFR Chief Warren Merritt said ending the funding for the reserve program was a difficult budget decision.

"We had to look at all the programs and see what we could cut," he said. "We couldn't keep everything if we wanted to make incremental advances on funding the fleet, taking care of facilities, advancements in technology (and other areas)."

The reserve program, in which those involved receive a small stipend based on participation levels, insurance, training and equipment, blossomed out of the longtime, strictly-volunteer program five years ago.

Merritt said both programs have served the community and emergency response agencies well.

"We are very grateful for the reserves and volunteers who have been here over the years," he said.

KCFR, formed when Post Falls Fire and Kootenai County Fire Protective District No. 1 consolidated in 2001, covers Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Village, Wolf Lodge, Stateline and Huetter.

The reserve program has 22 participants, down from about 40 participants two years ago. It includes firefighters, medical personnel and office staff.

The total cost of the program is $114,443 per year. Much of that amount has been for funding the full-time position of division chief of reserves held by Tom Barrett.

Barrett, who was a KCFR volunteer for about 30 years before being tapped to head the reserve program in 2009, declined to comment.

Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin was a volunteer firefighter in Post Falls from 1969 to 1986. Volunteers, he said, provided the foundation for what KCFR is today.

"It brings a moment of sadness for me," Larkin said. "We not only fought fires, but handled the volunteer ambulance service for many years. It's a sign of the times, but not necessarily a welcome one. Hopefully, KCFR can find a job for Chief Barrett as his fire service knowledge is outstanding.

"I understand the problems of budget shortfalls and have for a long time. Hard choices have to be made."

Merritt said KCFR has invested more than $500,000 to the reserve program over the past five years.

He said even though pay for the reserves is minimal, the main cost comes with providing training, equipment for the staff and insurance.

"It's one thing to have the people, but you have to manage the program as well," he said.

Merritt said that, in KCFR's case, it's been difficult to keep a strong core of dedicated reserves because they naturally move on due to full-time job offers or get pulled away with family commitments.

"They don't come here looking for money; they want to help and have a servant's heart," Merritt said. "But it can be hard to keep track of them and it's hard to manage turnover. The district has been patient to see if the program (will increase in size)."

The reserve program cut was a part of more than $200,000 in total cuts that needed to be made to balance the budget. Merritt said facility maintenance projects were also bumped.

Merritt said even if the decision was made to make small cuts in several areas, it wouldn't have been enough to reach the amount needed.

Merritt said KCFR intends to use volunteers in the future for support, but the board needs to pass a policy to implement the program. He said current reserves will be considered for the volunteer positions first.

Merritt said KCFR has assisted during the transition with helping the reserves land new positions at other area agencies, including at Mica-Kidd Island.

Ending the reserve program will not result in KCFR hiring any full-time staff, Merritt said.

Fire agencies vary on using reserve programs. Northern Lakes, which covers the Hayden and Rathdrum areas, has 12 reserves and intends to further develop its program, spokesman Jim Lyon said.

"They assist us at public events and augment our operations on a daily basis," Lyon said.

Coeur d'Alene Fire, meanwhile, hasn't had a reserve or volunteer program for 10 years.

Glenn Lauper, Coeur d'Alene's deputy fire chief, said availability, response time, cost for training and outfitting and liability were among the reasons the program ended.

"I have found that many people who volunteer for fire departments and have full-time jobs working for an employer may only be available certain hours or certain days to be able to respond for calls and training," he said. "The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and surrounding fire departments, through mutual-aid agreements, are able to meet the response time and manpower demands. All of our firefighters are required to monitor a pager/phone while off duty for call back."