COEUR d’ALENE — In 2001, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department had 21 line personnel, two stations, two-person engine companies and struggled to get 10 to 12 people on a structure fire.

Some said then it would never have EMTS, paramedics or ambulances.

Today, it has 63 line personnel, four stations, a fireboat and a new fireboat house by Tubbs Hill, EMTs and paramedics and three advanced life support ambulances.

“I could go on and on,” Fire Chief Tom Greif said Saturday during the department’s annual banquet and awards ceremony held for the first time since 2019.

“We’re an all-hazard fire department that’s customer service driven,” Greif said to about 125 people that included firefighters, family and city officials.

The three-hour event at the Hagadone Event Center included a traditional pinning ceremony, awards, thanks, praise and accolades for the strong relationships between the city and Coeur d’Alene Firefighter’s Local 710.

City Administrator Troy Tymesen said Coeur d’Alene was fortunate to have “leadership from a mayor (Jim Hammond) that cares so dearly about this community, surround that with six elected officials that know that public safety is the core value of why we became a city.”

One of the top awards, Employee of the Year, went to Erik Loney, engineer and paramedic, who received a standing ovation.

Loney was described as humble, a joy to work with, someone who highlights the contributions of others before his own, and goes above and beyond, producing public service announcements for the department.

Loney was also honored with the 2022 Ironman Award for most FD responses and was a member of the 2022 “1000 Run” club.

“There can be, in my opinion, a no more deserving recipient of Employee of the Year,” according to a nominating member.

Loney said he was grateful for the award and his colleagues.

“I don’t feel I deserve this,” he said.

Greif came on board 13 months ago as the new fire chief, replacing Kenny Gabriel, a longtime fire chief who retired.

“It has been as smooth a transition as we could have asked for,” Tymesen said.

He said firefighters “take for granted what it is you do, but when our constituents need you, you are there.”

Tymesen said he would argue “that this team is the best fire-based emergency medical services system in the country.”

"Gabe" Eckert, president of Coeur d’Alene Firefighter’s Local 710, said in about a year, the city and Local 710 will sit down at the negotiation table.

He said while the negotiations always have the potential to turn contentious, the city has been fair.

Eckert said there "is no reason not to trust they have the best at heart" for firefighters and all city staff.

Greif used two words to describe the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department: Tradition and family.

“Those are the main reasons we are here tonight,” he said.

Tradition includes the passing on of customs, values, and beliefs to the next generation of firefighters.

Greif said during their careers firefighters spend a third of their lives together, sharing ups and downs, watching young firefighters mature, raise families and see their children go on to college.

“More importantly, we’re here to support one another during the low times,” he said, mentioning illness, injury, loss and tragedy.

“Family is what makes this profession what it is, and that’s why we're here tonight,” he said.

Other awards presented include:

• Martin MacAlpine and Skip Priest (McEuen Terrace HOA) — Award of Exemplary Action
• Bill Buley (Coeur d'Alene Press) — Award of Merit
• Dr. James Bailey — Award of Merit
• Dr. Eric Chun — Award of Merit
• Capt. Jake Bieker — Award of Commendation
• FF/PM Brian Judge — Award of Commendation
• Engineer Clark/EMSO Steve Jones/ Gabe Eckert — Award of Commendation
• Local 710 Treasurer Bill Dodd — Union Service Award
• FF/PM Erik Loney, FF/PM Sean Liebelt, FF/PM Travis Georgius, FF/PM Cody Moore and FF/PM Nicholas Pozzesi and FF/PM Ben Kaiser — 2022 “1000 Run” club
• Eng./PM Erik Loney — 2022 Ironman Award for most FD responses
• Eng./PM Erik Loney — 2022 Employee of the Year