History

 1949 – 1958

        The Newman Lake Fire & Rescue began in 1949 when citizens of the community had to watch the Woehrle home burn due to the lack of water to extinguish the flames.  A meeting was organized after that by Ann Muzzy.  A fund was established and the Tri-Community Grange became a sponsor.  By late 1951, $2,000 had been raised to purchase a fire truck.  Mary K. Wahlin and Henry Bisterfeldt went shopping and purchased a 1941 Ford Pumper with a 500 gallon tank from Spokane Valley Fire District #1.  

Volunteer labor (over 200 man hours) built the first fire station at Cherokee Landing where Henry Bisterfeldt resided.  The station contained a bell, siren and small wood stove.   

From 1952 until 1958 the fire district was supported by donations of time and money from residents of the community.  

1958  

In August of 1958 the Newman Lake Fire & Rescue was dissolved and the new tax supported Spokane County Fire District #13 was officially formed.   

Fire helmets were obtained from the Civil Defense to be distributed to the volunteers and 9 volunteers attended fire training offered by the Civil Defense.  

A 1949 Dodge Power Wagon with a 300 gallon tank was purchased by Ed Letzing for $1505.  

1960  

A U.S. Missile Base is to be built within the boundaries of the fire district.   

A savings fund was started, $1250, for building a new station.  

The goal was to have two-way radios in all fire equipment by August of 1963.  

1962  

The budge for 1962 was $2293.62.  

The fire station was insulated and electric service brought to the station so that it could be heated in the winter.   The Ladies Aid and Civic Society purchased blankets, sheets and first aid materials for the fire trucks.  

Seven volunteers completed an Advanced First Aid Course.  

1964  

A discussion was held to place six radios in homes in the district to improve communications.  

There were four fire calls in 1964.  

1965  

The district began proceedings to acquire property for a new fire station.  Mr. Butke was approached for a 100’ X 100’ piece of property.  Purchase price on the property was $200.  

Preliminary work for the new station began (architectural plans, waste water, electricity, phone, etc).  

1966  

The architectural firm of Warren Cummings Heylman & Associates was hired to prepare the plans for a new station for $250.   

Contractor Harvey L. Bauer was awarded the bid to build the new station for $8518.  Changes made to the original bid added $1000 to the cost of the station.  

1967  

In May of this year volunteers installed a water line to the new station so that it could have running water.

1969  

Twelve volunteers passed an Advanced First Aid Course.  

A Base Station (radio) is being purchased for the fire station.  

1970  

There was discussion with Spokane Valley Fire District about offering District 13 volunteers “Fundamentals of Firefighting”.  

Personal Protective Equipment inventoried was:  10 coats, 8 pants, 1 pair boots, 2 belts, 9 hats and 4 stretchers.  

1972  

A Mutual Aid Agreement was signed with Spokane Valley Fire District #1.  

1973  

A 1940 Ford truck was purchased for parts, cost $100.  

1974  

The purchase of a 6 X 6 truck that could be converted into a tender was discussed.  The Commissioners felt this was out of reach at this time.  

There were 17 fires this year.  

1975  

The purchase of a 6 X 6 was discussed again.  It was a military vehicle and would be subject to recall for five years in case of a military or civil emergency.  The tender is a 1951 GMC that will hold 1800 gallons of water - cost $952 plus many volunteer hours.   

There were 12 fires this year  

1976  

Budget for 1976 was $4699.   

There were 3 fire phones in 3 residences, each with its own call list of volunteers.  In an emergency these phones were called.  You would state your emergency then they would begin calling their respective lists for responders to the emergency.  

SCFPD 13 had a fire boat in need of repair.  A training session was held on the use of the boat and water rescue procedures.  The outboard motor for the boat was sold in October of this year.  

The two fire trucks now have radios in them.  

Spokane Valley FD #1 donated: 16 coats, 6 pants, 6 pair of boots and suspenders to us.  The Ladies Auxiliary stenciled the district number on these coats.  

A 30’ X  60’ metal building on Hood Rd. was donated to the fire district by Mr. Wert.  This was a possible location for a station at the north end of the lake.  

Four new PACE radios were purchased at $375 each.  

1977  

Budget for 1977 was $5231  

It was voted to allow fire district tenders to be used to fill patrons wells that had gone dry.  Only fire district personnel were to operate the tenders in this endeavor.  This was discontinued because other than district personnel were using the tenders.  

While hauling the fire boat out of the water the cable broke putting a crack in the hull and lower prop.  

A checklist was prepared for the fire trucks so that the volunteers could check the trucks on a monthly revolving rotation.  

1978  

The new system of volunteers checking the trucks has gotten off to a slow start.  No one checked the trucks the first month.  

Training sessions for the men will start again if the volunteers will attend.  Trainings would stick to the basics of equipment operation.  

There was discussion on project costs to build another station on donated land at Hood Rd. and West Newman Lake Rd.  

1979  

Budget for 1979 was $6434  

The batteries in the trucks are sulphating from non-use, the radios need rewiring, the siren on top of the station needs electrical work and water is leaking down the back wall of the station.  

The old fire boat was sold and a new fire boat was purchased.  

It was suggested to hire a half time employee to see that emergency vehicles were kept in a “constant alert” condition.  Having the volunteers check the trucks hasn’t worked.  

1980  

Budget for 1980 was $7350  

Discussion began on the purchase of a new fire truck.  In July of 1980 three bids were received on a new attack truck.  

In November a 1952 GMC tender was obtained from Spokane County Fire District #4.  

Bob Warner showed the Commissioners land at the junction of Hood Rd and West Newman Lake Rd as a possible site for a second station.  Bob Warner is considering donating the land to the Fire District.  

The Ford tender was retired from service.  

1981  

Budget for 1981 was $7116  

In January a 1942 GMC 2 ½ ton 6 x 6 tender with two portable pumps was purchased from Benton County FD #2 for $1 plus a $25 donation to District #2 by the Ladies Auxiliary.  

New bids on an attack truck were reviewed.  The commissioners voted to accept the bid from Pierce on a Fast Attack, 250 gpm pumper, cost $29,232.  

The fire boat sank in a windstorm.   

An agreement was reached between Bob Warner and the Commissioners on the donation of land at the north end of the lake.   

The first EMT for the fire district completed training at Deaconess Hospital .  

There were 7 fire calls and 1 medical call this year.  

1982  

Discussion with Valley Fire regarding the 911 emergency system have begun.  We are looking into have Fire District #9 dispatch for us.  A letter from the 911 system outlining our responsibilities for medical calls was received.  There is a big concern regarding the burden this places on an all volunteer department.  At this time fires should be reported through the district phone number and any other emergency should be reported through 911.   

The Auxiliary compiled a cookbook as a fundraiser.  They will be selling cookbooks as well as T-shirts and sweatshirts.  

Bids were received for building a new fire station.  Cook’s Steel Building was awarded the contract, cost $13,000.  

There were 7 fire calls and 1 medical call this year.  

1983  

The two goals for this year were to complete the new station and update the communication system.  

The fire boat motor needs work.  It was looked at and deemed not worth fixing.  The fire boat was retired from service.  

A Mutual Aid Agreement with Hauser Lake Fire Department was signed.  

The Auxiliary will purchase 4 wall mounted heaters for the new station.  

There were 4 fire calls and 1 medical call this year.  

1984  

Budget for 1984 was $17,634.  

The Ladies Auxiliary asked for a training session on the trucks.   

Resolution No. 12 was passed calling for an excess levy of $3.52 per thousand of assessed value for the purchase of trucks and equipment.  This levy was defeated.  

District #9 will be our dispatching service.  16 radios were purchased from District #9 at $1 each.  10 new pagers and amplifiers were purchase from Motorola.   

The end of an era:  the three fire phones will be removed from the private homes.  All emergencies should be reported through 911.  

There were 4 fire calls and 2 medical calls this year.  

1985  

A community meeting was held to promote community involvement in the fire department.  

The Radio Communications Officer reported the need for radios in the trucks.   It was approved to purchase three radios for trucks.  Four waterous pumps and 1200 feet of hose were also approved for purchase.  

Resolution No 16 was passed for a Special Levy of $100,000 for the purchase of trucks and equipment.  Election to be held in November of this year.  

There were 14 fire calls and 2 medical calls this year.  

1986  

District 13 has 293 homes with 805 permanent residents.  

The Auxiliary approved $800 to purchase a First Aid Kit and oxygen supplies for each station.  

Station 2 was insulated in the spring with hopes of insulating Station 1 in the fall.  

Shovels were purchased for the trucks and each waterous pump station.  

The districts second EMT completed training.  

There were 8 fire calls and 4 medical calls this year.  

1987

The purchase of new turnout gear was investigated.  The Auxiliary will contribute $1200 towards this purchase.  10 sets will be purchased.  

A medical-aid vehicle was purchased.   

A “Firefighting Fundamentals” and “First Responder” class were held and well attended.  

There were 22 fire calls and 13 medicals calls this year.  

1988  

Three (3) hand-held radios, three (3) pagers and a portable suction for CPR were purchased.  The auxiliary assisted the fire department in purchasing jumpsuits for district personnel. 

        District 13 became part of a county wide mutual aid group.  

       A 1965 Class A Ford pumper was purchased from Pasco for $6500.  

        An EMS levy for $.25 per thousand was put before the community and passed.

        Station 1 was broken into and 15 gallons of gas was taken.

        There were 10 fire calls and 17 medical calls this year.

1989    

        The Singing Hills and Harvard Rd areas were annexed into the district.

        A loan of $50,500 was taken out for an addition to Station 1, firefighting and 
        medical equipment and a vehicle.

        Four (4) airpacks, seven (7) sets of turnouts, two (2) hand-held radios and five (5)
        pagers were purchased.

        The budget for 1990 will be $10,163 for medical and $40,654 for fire.

        There were 20 fire calls and 15 medical calls this year.

1990  

The Mountain View Rd area was annexed into the district.  

Hepatitis B vaccinations began being offered to district personnel.  

The addition of two (2) bays at Station 1 were completed.  

Two (2) hand-held radios, four (4) pagers, two (2) truck radios and ten (10) rotating beacons were purchased.  

The Survey and Rating Bureau gave District 13 a rating of “8” for the south end of the lake and “9” for the north end.  

There were 17 fire calls and 28 medical calls this year.  

1991  

A form system was purchased for the initial attack vehicle at Station 1.  Six (6) sets of turnouts, 11 pairs of boots, green lights (for responding personnel vehicles), coveralls, wildland helmets and a porta-tank were also purchased.  

The Kath Rd area was annexed into the district.  

There are currently 395 homes with 1100 permanent residents in District 13.  

District 13 joined the Board of Volunteer Firefighters Pension Plan.  

Firestorm 1991:  Approximately 1000 acres burned, one (1) home lost, two (2) homes damaged by falling trees.  Approximately 700 total firefighter hours and two and one half million gallons of water were used for fire suppression.  $2900 was received from the Department of Natural Resources for the use of our vehicles during Firestorm.  

There were 29 fire calls and 20 medical calls this year.  

1992  

The budget for this year will be $56, 365 for fire and $11,905 for medical.  

A 1983 Chevrolet one ton with four wheel drive was purchased from the DNR for $3700.  

1993  

The district now has eight (8) First Responders and seven (7) EMT’s.  

Two (2) air-packs were purchased.  

There were 38 calls this year.  

1994  

The budget for this year is $74,351 for fire and $14,898 for medical.  

An American LaFrance pumper was purchased from Spokane Valley Fire for $11,500.  The 1957 Ford pumper was sold for $1675.  The DNR donated a 6 x 6 to the district.  

The Muzzy Rd area was annexed into the district.           

The addition to Station 2 was completed.  

A positive pressure fan and a Honda motor for 1325 was purchased.  

The Survey & Rating Bureau notified the fire district that the entire district is now rated “8”.  

20 feet of land on the west side of Station 2 was donated to the district by Alfred McKenzie.   

The EMS levy was raised to $.50 per thousand of assessed value.  

There were 35 fire, 34 medicals and 3 miscellaneous calls this year.  

1995  

The budget for this year is $120,000  

An air compressor was purchased to allow for the filling of air bottles.  

The districts first AED (automatic external defibrillator) was purchased.  

The microwave and VCR were stolen from Station 1. 

1996  

The budget is year is $132,381.  

A new fireboat was built.  

20’ of land north and 203’ east of Station 1 was donated as well as 20’ behind Station 2.  

Ice Storm occurred this year.

There were 25 fire, 34 medical and 3 miscellaneous calls this year.  

1997  

The budget this year is $143,519.  

An AMKUS extrication tool was purchased.  

A 1993 Blazer S-10 was purchased as a Command Vehicle.  

Currently there are 657 year round homes with 1,843 residents.  This is an increase of 364 homes and 1,038 residents from 1986.  

There were 11 fire, 33 medical and 3 miscellaneous calls this year.  

1998

The budget this year is $109,680 for fire and $47,424 for medical.  

43 sets of wildland personal protective clothing and a pulse oximeter were purchased.  A total of 8 hand-held radios and seven (7) refurbished air-packs were also purchased.  

Because of the many mechanical problems with the vehicles, investigation into replacing the two engines and a tender has begun.  

Station 2 has been framed and sheeted on the outside.  

1999  

The budget this year is $117,735 for fire and $50,906 for medical.  

Engine specifications were submitted for review and it was approved to ask the voters for a $500,000 bond to replace the present engines (2) with Class A pumpers.  This bond failed.  

An emergency in the district was declared because one of the engines did not pass the pumper test and a tender was removed from service for mechanical and safety reasons.  

It was decided to put the $500,000 bond before the voters again in the spring of 2000.   

2000  

The budget this year is $124,604 for fire and $53,877 for medical.  

An Open House was held in conjunction with SCOPE for community awareness.  

In March the $500,000 bond is voted on again and passes.  A committee has been researching new initial attack vehicles and engines.  They are also looking into purchasing newly used chassis’s and properly outfitting them to produce NFPA compliant tenders.  

Specifications are drawn up and a bid goes out for 2 new engines.  E-1 and General Fire submit bids, E-1 is awarded the bid.  The engines are delivered October 11.  

Bids were called for two cabs and chassis with removal and installation of water tanks.  All chassis bids were rejected, Wellspring was awarded bid for the remount.  Bids went out again for two (2) chassis’s and finally awarded to L & M.   

A cascade system to replace the old one was purchased from District 9 and a GPS unit was purchased to aid in the landing of Medstar when needed.  

2001  

The budget for this year is $132,080  

Fire Commissioners

1952 – 1958                Ed Letzring, Gail Muzzy, Henry Bisterfeldt

1958 – 1959                Ed Letzring, Gail Muzzy, Paul Buchhorn

1960 – 1966                Ed Letzring, Wallace Sowl, Ernest Rose

1966 – 1970                Wallace Sowl, Ernest Rose, LeRoy Imus

1970 – 1975                Wallace Sowl, Ernest Rose, Jack Welch

1975 – 1979                Wallace Sowl, Don Mathews, Larry Connell, Monte Nesbitt

1980 – 1981                Wallace Sowl, Monte Nesbitt, Paul McLucas

1981 – 1981                Wallace Sowl, Monte Nesbitt, Jack Clark

1982 – 1983                Monte Nesbitt, Jack Clark, Bill Kelly

1984 – 1985                Jack Clark, Bill Kelly, Mike Imus

1985 – 1985                Bill Kelly, Mike Imus, Larry Pintler

1985 – 1987                Bill Kelly, Larry Pintler, Jerry Anderson

1988 – 1994                Larry Pintler, Jerry Anderson, Tim Halloran

1995 - 1999                Larry Pintler, Tim Halloran, Stan Cooke

1999 - 1999                 Larry Pintler, Stan Cooke, Richard Small

1999 – 2000                Larry Pintler, Richard Small, Clayton Andersen

2000 – 2001                Clayton Andersen, Richard Small, Bob Neu

2001 – 2004                Clayton Andersen, Bob Neu, Ron Cunningham

2004 - 2005                   Bob Neu, Ron Cunningham, Eileen Weyrauch             

2005 - present             Bob Neu, Eileen Weyrauch, Clayton Anderson 

Fire Chiefs

1949 – 1958                Henry Bisterfeldt

1958 – 1959                Jack Bolin

1959 – 1970                Walt Woehrle, Chief

                                 Joseph Kolva, Assistant Chief

1970 – 1980                Jack Welch

1980 – 1981                Bob Coe

1981 – 1984                Paul McLucas

1985 – 1988                Art Britton

1988 – 1999                Bud Clow, Chief

                                 Eno Katterfeld, Assistant Chief

1995 – 2000                Bob Neu, Assistant Chief

1999 – 2000                Toni Halloran and Kathie Neu, Interim Co-Chief

2000 - 2006                 Bob Kolva

2006 - Present             Rick Cokley