POST FALLS — It’s been a roller-coaster of a year for Kevin Croffoot.  

Last September, he was injured at the Wolf Lodge Steakhouse fire while serving as battalion chief for Northern Lakes Fire Protection District and was placed on administrative duties. 

A week ago, Croffoot became interim fire chief for the department when Pat Riley retired.

Croffoot said he was “humbled” to be selected and was glad to have Luke Michael and Brad Belmont as interim deputy chiefs to support him.

“Going through it with instant help from two people was nice. Between all of us, we have a lot of experience and our first day was about dividing and conquering,” Croffoot said. 

Croffoot started out as an EMS straight out of high school in 1992 with Arrow Ambulance, covering Coeur d’Alene. He got his EMT certification and was hired full time in 1997. 

He said he’s inherited a period when a lot of moving pieces are taking place for the department.  

Croffoot found comfort amid the transition in knowing that a levy was passed to fund positions originally secured through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to create additional firefighter/EMT positions. The SAFER grant expires in March.    

“We're getting ready to hire nine guys here, we're building a station in Garwood, we’re having a fire academy in the early spring and buying apparatus,” Croffoot said. “A lot of this, Chief Riley did start, but we’re just trying to get it to the finish line.”  

The department is up to 54 firefighters.

Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Larson said the area’s growth has also been a challenge when the fire crews are responding to emergencies within the 108 miles that make up Northern Lakes Fire’s jurisdiction. 

“Growth is not just the population, it’s all-encompassing,” Larson said. “We've got three stations and with the growth and the new roads coming in, that can slow down responses.” 

The Garwood Station has been delayed due to issues and litigation with the manufacturer, but Larson said the department is looking for alternatives.

Croffoot said he hopes to rise to the challenge and hopes his legacy will be an emphasis for better mental health for firefighters and other first responders. 

“For years for law enforcement, firefighters, mental health was overlooked. Under recent circumstances, mental health is challenging for us, but carrying compassion goes a long way,” Croffoot said. “If we take care of ourselves, we can take care of other people a lot better.” 

Croffoot also hopes to strengthen community connections, be active in the neighborhoods they serve and build on communications with other fire departments.

"We all need each other,” Croffoot said, “We all need to work together even though we’re in different departments.”