A new era for Northern Lakes

HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 2 weeks AGO

Croffoot

Belmont

Michael

Legg

Paulson

Sorenson

HAYDEN — Northern Lakes Fire District will mark “one of the most meaningful leadership transitions in the district’s modern history” Thursday.

Interim Chief Kevin Croffoot is set to be sworn in as fire chief after stepping into the interim role following the retirement of Pat Riley in August. Croffoot has been with NLFD for 33 years.

Battalion Chiefs Brad Belmont, 30 years with NLFD, and Luke Michael, over 20 years with NLFD, will both be sworn in as deputy fire chiefs. Additionally, captains Eric Sorenson, Jason Paulson and Matt Legg are set to be sworn in as battalion chiefs.

“Together, the individuals being promoted represent 140 combined years of full-time service with NLFD, demonstrating the depth of experience guiding the district forward,” according to a press release for the agency.

The swearing-in and badge pinning ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at Northern Lakes Fire Station 1, 125 W. Hayden Ave.

The leadership transition comes as the department continues to grow.

NLFD will have three new full-time firefighters hired by the end of the month, and nine additional firefighters will begin training in March.

“These staffing additions support operational readiness, reduce response times, expand shift coverage, and prepare for future Captain and Engineer promotion processes in 2026,” the press release said.

The department has seen an 18.6 average daily call volume so far for 2025, a 6.5% increase over the same period in 2024, according to NLFD. The incident composition for the department also shows a rise in medical and motor vehicle-related calls.

NLFD’s response area spans 108-square miles and includes Hayden, Hayden Lake, and Rathdrum as well as the Twin Lakes and Garwood areas.

The district has three 24-hour staffed fire stations, 50-line firefighters, eight administrative staff, one district mechanic, three support service volunteers, and 15 high school fire cadets.

The line firefighter total will increase to 62 in 2026, NLFD said.