It was a big day for the Northern Lakes Fire District on Thursday, as it officially broke ground on the site of its new $1.2 million Station 3, funded by taxpayer dollars.

The Idaho Transportation Department donated the 3.4-acre site located at the intersection of Garwood Road and Lekstrum Road. 

“We wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for you guys,” Fire Chief Kevin Croffoot said. 

Croffoot said the Lakes Highway District was instrumental in connecting them with ITD.

“This donation is a huge benefit to our district,” he said. 

ITD Public Information Officer Heather McDaniel said that 10 years ago, the department earmarked the parcel of land for part of the right-of-way for the Garwood Overpass. 

“Obviously, a big chunk of that property wound up being used for that project, but this wound up being a remnant piece that we couldn’t do much with,” McDaniel said. 

The property is deeded to the fire station, with contingencies that it must be used for public safety purposes, or it would revert to ITD holdings. 

“It's one of those rare situations that’s a win all seven sides,” McDaniel said. “Everyone at ITD headquarters blessed it and signed off on it. It’s just a really good thing for the community.” 

After difficulties with the 7,000-square-foot modular building on Pope Road procured through EXTREME Modular Buildings, code violations and a stop-work order issued by Kootenai County rendered the modular station in Garwood unusable.        

The 8,100-square-foot facility is the answer to the pause placed on moving forward with a third station since February 2024.    

Station 3 will finally allow the fire department to respond more quickly to emergencies across 108 square miles in the communities of Hayden, Hayden Lake, Rathdrum, Twin Lakes and Garwood.    

Call volume in the Garwood area has risen by 25% over the past five years, and the district responds to over 6,800 incidents annually. Northern Lakes Fire serves a 108-square-mile service area.       

Bidding is currently underway for the project, with work scheduled to wrap up in early 2027.      

Fire Commissioner Mike Pearce said they have been using caution and taking their time in announcing the project until everything was aligned. 

“It’s just taken time. We didn’t want to jump the gun,” Pearce said. 

Fire Marshal Tyler Drechsel said three to four firefighters will staff the station at all times.  

“It's smaller than the Rathdrum station. It's designed essentially as a six-bed station,” Drechsel said. “One engine and three to four firefighters will work out of the station. We want to build this station so we can grow into it.” 

Firefighter Mike Avilla drew up the initial design based on blueprints from the East Side Fire District station at Arrow Point.       

“Mike represents our planning and growth committee. He’s got a construction background and is not just a talented firefighter,” Drechsel said. 

Avilla has been involved in the construction industry for about 30 years, in addition to his firefighting work at Northern Lakes. 

“I love it,” Avilla said. “I’m very excited to do it and I’m very appreciative of everything the commissioners have done and I’ve been able to accomplish up to this point.” 

The station will use three drive-through bays for its emergency vehicles. 

“We're looking into the future and there’s a possibility of adding an ambulance and a paramedic chase unit out of this station,” Drechsel said.   

Northern Lakes Fire will begin training nine new firefighters at its fire academy March 2.

    Fire Marshal Tyler Drechsel shows off the schematics drawn up by firefighter Mike Avilla for the new Northern Lakes Fire Station 3. The department broke ground Thursday at the new site in Garwood.
  

    Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Larson and Fire Commissioner Jim Washko look over the layout planned for Northern Lakes Fire Station 3 at a groundbreaking event on Thursday.
  

    A "Coming Soon" sign for the new Garwood fire station for Northern Lakes Fire District. The department held a groundbreaking event on Thursday, and the plan is open Station 3 in early 2027.
  

    An exterior design drawn up by firefighter Mike Avilla for the new Northern Lakes Fire Station 3. The department broke ground Thursday at the new site in Garwood.
  

    Friends and volunteers of the East Side Fire District held an evening "push in" in 2023 to introduce a new ambulance at the Arrow Point Station, honoring a firefighting tradition dating back to the 1800s.