HAYDEN — People got to know their firefighters and emergency responders during an open house at the Northern Lakes Fire District fire station in Hayden on Saturday.

Over 100 families stopped by. Parents and kids had the chance to learn the basics of CPR, participate in “Stop the Bleed” training, and meet Smokey Bear and their local firefighters.

Representatives from Life Flight, Emergency Management of Kootenai County, Kootenai Health and Suicide Prevention Action Network were there to speak with and answer questions from the community.

Northern Lakes Fire Chief Pat Riley described Saturday’s open house as “vitally important,” as it marked the first open house event since the pandemic.

“The community gets to see who we are and what they’re paying for,” Riley said. “This is 100% for them.”

“This is a chance for us to get to know our community and the people we serve every day,” said Daniel Atkisson, NLFD chaplain.

The Northern Lakes Fire District is hoping to pass an override levy, which would increase its base budget of $3.5 million per year to “reduce response times, improve firefighter safety and ensure the community receives the highest level of fire and emergency medical services,” according to a press release sent out in July.

However, the levy was not on the minds of NLFD during Saturday’s open house.

“We do have a levy vote coming up, but that’s not why we’re here,” said fire captain and Local 4045 Union President Jarrod Pitts. “We’re not here to push a political message. We want people to know that we’re here to serve them.” 

    Kaleb, 2, is all smiles at the Northern Lakes Fire Department's open house in Hayden on Saturday.
  

    Local kids talk to firefighters and Smokey Bear himself at the Northern Lakes Fire Department open house in Hayden on Saturday.