Selkirk Fire seeks input

SAGLE — With a whole new look to the Selkirk Fire joint powers agreement, the fire district's officials want to know what residents who live in the two districts that make up the JPA have to say.

Selkirk Fire launched a survey this week to garner input on fire service in the district, which is comprised of the Sagle and Westside fire districts. The survey is part of a strategic planning process for the revamped fire district, Selkirk Fire officials said.

"This planning process is intended to provide the community with an opportunity for input on the fire service in Bonner County, as well as provide your firefighters with a vision for the future," Brandon Vaccaro, the district's public information officer, said.

The ongoing growth in Bonner County has impacted area fire districts, both in terms of new construction and calls for service.

“Ensuring our firefighters have the right resources and are meeting the expectations of the community is one of my primary concerns,” Selkirk Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong said.

Merlin Glass, Westside Fire commissioner, agreed.

“It is time we had an honest conversation with the community regarding the staffing and capability of our fire districts,” Glass said at a recent meeting.

Glass, who also serves on the Dover City Council, has dedicated his life to public service, including a 25-year career in the fire service, Vaccaro said. Fire district members, including the Sagle and Westside board members, said the survey is a both a chance to connect with the community and enlist residents' help in planning Selkirk Fire's future.

The strategic planning effort follows a vote by the city of Sandpoint to leave the JPA in April, setting up the move for their exit in July. In voting to break the tie, Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm said at the time that budgeting complications and the legality of future entities were behind his decision.

Selkirk Fire officials have said since the vote, they have moved on and are working to provide the best service for the fire district which opted to remain in what they are terming the successor JPA.

Vaccaro and Armstrong said there are multiple ways and opportunities for residents to get involved and help shape the future of Selkirk Fire. Among them are attending Sagle and Westside fire district board meetings, showing up at upcoming strategic planning meetings or serving on Selkirk's "external stakeholder group."

Another way is to complete Selkirk Fire's online survey, something Vaccaro estimated will take about five minutes.

"This survey will provide us with valuable feedback on your expectations from your fire district," the public information officer said.

Information: surveymonkey.com/r/Selkirkfire