COEUR d’ALENE - Tradition and partnerships.

Those two words, said Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif, were the focus of the dedication of the fire department’s new marine facility at the Third Street marina on the shores of Tubbs Hill.

“Tradition is what the fire service is built upon and partnerships are what makes this fire department so successful within this community,” he said.

City officials, fire department personnel and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe attended the event on a sunny Thursday morning.

The ceremony was held on a Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises boat to offer a view from the water of the structure, placed into service in January.

The site is home to Fire Boat 3, which was given the name chdeln (ch-del-n) that means “to guard or protect.”

The name was chosen by the tribe and the city.

“The mission for this vessel includes many of the same values as the Coeur d’Alene Tribe — protecting the public health, safety and welfare of this great resource,” Greif said.

Norma Jean Louie of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe said its language is important and the area is the tribe's homelands and waters.

“Our ancestors, I know today, are very happy looking down on this event,” she said.

Margaret SiJohn of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe said they were proud to be part of the ceremony.

"We truly appreciate the effort, dedication and hard work you guys provide to us and members of our community on a daily basis,” she said.

The $585,000 project started in 2020 when Steve Widmyer was the mayor and Kenny Gabriel, now retired, was fire chief.

It was funded primarily by impact fees and ignitecda, the city's urban renewal agency.

The marine facility was built by Verdis Construction.

The structure's site on Coeur d’Alene’s downtown waterfront will provide easier access and quicker responses to calls for help on the north end of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Greif thanked the city’s elected leaders and staff for making public safety a priority.

“Without each and everyone of you, we wouldn’t be here celebrating this event today,” Greif said.

Lucas Pichette, deputy chief and fire department’s liaison for the project, said the goal was to create a space that addressed response needs and meshed with scenic surroundings.

He said a mooring system called Seaflex will automatically adjust the boat house to water levels throughout the year.

"Together, we have transformed an ambitious vision into reality by ensuring that our community remains protected while preserving the beauty of our cherished area,” Pichette said.

He praised contributions to its success.

“It is truly a testament to what we can achieve when we, as a community, come together with a common goal,” he said.