2025 Fire Department
Bond Initiative
A proposal to enhance emergency services for our growing community
A Message from Chief Tom Greif
Dear Coeur d’Alene Residents,
As our city continues to grow, so does the demand for fire and emergency medical services. The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department provides fire protection, emergency medical response and transport, and technical rescue services to nearly 60,000 residents and tens of thousands of visitors each year. In 2023, our department responded to over 10,000 calls, making us one of the busiest fire departments in Idaho. Since 2015, call volume has increased by 35%, placing significant strain on our facilities and equipment.
One of our biggest challenges is Fire Station No. 2, which was built in 1992 and has not been updated since. Originally designed for two firefighters, it now houses more than double that number per shift and responds to approximately 35% of all emergency calls. Additionally, our fleet of fire trucks—critical to maintaining response times and firefighter safety—is aging beyond its recommended lifespan. Despite these challenges, our department remains committed to providing the high level of service our community expects.
To continue meeting Coeur d’Alene’s emergency response needs, the City Council voted unanimously on March 4, 2025, to place a bond initiative on the May 20, 2025, ballot. The proposed $16.4 million, 10-year general obligation bond would fund essential facility improvements and equipment upgrades, with a property tax impact of $16.07 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, per year.
As you consider this measure, we encourage you to learn more, ask questions, and engage in the conversation about the future of emergency services in our city.
Sincerely,
Chief Tom Greif
the role of station No. 2
in emergency response
Fire Station No. 2, located on Ramsey Road, has been a critical part of Coeur d’Alene’s fire and emergency services since it was built in 1992. Originally designed as a perimeter station for two firefighters, it has become one of the busiest stations in the city, now handling approximately 35% of all emergency calls. Its location allows for quicker response times than other stations, making it a key facility in protecting residents and visitors.
Over the years, as Coeur d'Alene has grown, so have the demands on Station No. 2. Today, five firefighters operate from a space built for only two. Every shift, firefighters respond to calls, write reports, train, and live at the station, but the current facility struggles to support these essential functions. The limited space makes it difficult to conduct training, complete evaluations, and perform daily duties efficiently.
Beyond space constraints, the station also lacks modern safety features. Firefighters returning from emergency calls need proper decontamination areas to clean their gear and reduce exposure to hazardous materials, but the current design does not provide this critical function. Additionally, the apparatus bays are too small for today’s larger fire engines, leaving little room for tools, maintenance, or additional response vehicles.
To continue providing effective emergency services, an upgraded facility is needed. Plans for station improvements include a design that accommodates a Battalion Chief and a six-person crew, ensuring that response operations run smoothly. The new station will feature expanded apparatus bays to house modern emergency vehicles and provide dedicated space for a Battalion Chief’s vehicle. Safety enhancements will include a mass decontamination area and a clear separation between living quarters and equipment storage, creating a healthier environment for firefighters.
The estimated cost to rebuild Station No. 2 and maintain department operations during construction is $6 million. These improvements will ensure that the fire department can continue to meet the growing needs of Coeur d’Alene while maintaining the high level of emergency response the community expects.
Investing in a Reliable Firefighting Fleet
Fire trucks and emergency response vehicles are essential to ensuring rapid response times and firefighter safety. The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department (CDAFD) needs to replace eight aging fire trucks and other fleet vehicles to continue meeting service demands. The estimated cost for these replacements is $10 million.
If the bond measure is approved, the department would begin by replacing its three frontline fire engines and adding a fourth engine to help distribute workload and reduce long-term wear. Over the next 10 years, older vehicles would be phased out, including the department’s ladder truck, which would be replaced while keeping the existing one in reserve. The remaining fleet replacements would ensure that hardworking emergency vehicles are updated to meet industry standards.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that fire trucks serve 10–15 years in frontline service, followed by an additional 5–10 years in reserve. However, actual lifespans depend on wear, mechanical condition, and maintenance costs. Many of CDAFD’s vehicles are now approaching or have exceeded these standards. As fire trucks age, they require more frequent and costly repairs and become less reliable, increasing the risk of mechanical failures during emergency responses.
Without regular fleet investments, the department faces higher maintenance costs, potential breakdowns, and resource shortages during critical moments. Delayed response times can impact the ability to manage multiple emergencies at once, increasing risks to public safety.
Planned fleet replacements ensure that CDAFD can continue delivering efficient, reliable emergency services for Coeur d’Alene residents and visitors.
Other Facility Improvements
Funded through the Bond
In addition to the planned reconstruction of Fire Station No. 2, the proposed bond will fund essential upgrades to other fire department facilities, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of our emergency response teams.
Training Facility
A new, permanent multi-use training facility will provide firefighters with hands-on experience in critical emergency scenarios. This facility will enhance training in areas such as smoke ventilation, roof operations, forcible entry, and other life-saving techniques, improving readiness for a wide range of fire and rescue situations.
Fire Station No. 1: Health & Safety Upgrades
To better protect firefighters from harmful contaminants, Fire Station No. 1 will receive an expanded decontamination and bunker gear storage area. This addition will provide a dedicated, ventilated space for cleaning and storing firefighting gear, reducing exposure to hazardous materials. Plans also include a designated buffer zone between the apparatus bay and living quarters, aligning the station with modern firefighter health and safety standards.
Fire Station No. 3: Expanded Rescue Operations
Station No. 3 serves as the base for urban search and rescue, as well as technical and backcountry rescue operations. The station currently lacks the necessary storage and operational space for these specialized units. A proposed expansion will provide dedicated facilities for equipment used in building collapses, trench rescues, and high-angle or backcountry extractions, ensuring a more efficient and effective response to complex emergencies
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue, based upon current market rates, is three and twelve hundredths percent (3.12%) per annum. The total amount estimated to be repaid over the life of the bonds, based on the anticipated interest rate, is $19,444,750, consisting of $16,400,000 in principal and $3,044,750 of interest. The term of the bonds will not exceed ten (10) years from the date of issuance.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy is a tax of $16.07 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.
As of May 20, 2025, the total existing bonded indebtedness of the City, including interest accrued, is $865,019.
TAX IMPACT CALCULATOR
Please click HERE to estimate your tax impact, based on your current home value and current conditions.
FAQs
Who will oversee the use of these funds if the bond passes?
The use of funds will be overseen by Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Thomas Greif, ensuring transparency and accountability in how the bond revenue is allocated.
Will you remodel Station No. 2 or build a new one?
After a thorough evaluation, the City of Coeur d’Alene has determined that a remodel of Station No. 2, located on Ramsey Road, is the most cost-effective and practical solution. This approach allows the department to enhance operations while maximizing the use of bond funds to continue providing high-quality emergency services to the community.
The City will get the best value for our constituents with this voter approved bond on whether to rebuild the entire station or complete some extensive remodeling with the majority of the station being rebuilt. The City recognizes that the station is in a great location and needs to be effective for decades into the future. Staff will be delivering the best value for our community and listening to the direction provided by Council.
How will this bond support Coeur d’Alene’s future needs and projected growth?
Station 2, built in 1992, has served the city’s emergency response needs for nearly 30 years. With Coeur d’Alene’s continued growth, modernizing this facility will ensure it can effectively accommodate future service demands. This bond was proposed with long-term planning in mind, and the department does not anticipate seeking additional funding unless critical needs arise. As equipment replacement needs become necessary, it is likely that the city and department will seek another bond in 10 years. The City’s plan is to present the public safety capital needs to the voters every 10 years. The needs are voter approved and the financing matches the life of the asset.
Why does CDAFD respond to non-fire-related calls, and why do fire trucks respond to EMS calls?
Coeur d’Alene follows a fire-based EMS model, meaning firefighters are trained as EMTs or paramedics to provide rapid emergency medical care. Fire trucks are dispatched alongside ambulances to ensure immediate life-saving response, especially when multiple personnel are needed for critical care, rescues, or complex incidents.
Unlike law enforcement, CDAFD specializes in medical and rescue operations, ensuring the fastest and most effective response to emergencies requiring evacuation, medical intervention, or fire suppression.
what EMS services does CDAFD provide, and how does that differ from KCEMSS?
KCEMSS (Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System) supplies ambulances, medical equipment, and oversight, while the paramedics and EMTs staffing these ambulances are firefighters employed by local fire departments, including CDAFD. The exception is Harrison Community Ambulance, which operates independently but receives financial support from KCEMSS.
What happens if the bond does not pass?
Without the bond, CDAFD will struggle to maintain aging equipment and meet increasing service demands. Fire trucks, ambulances, and other essential apparatus will continue to age, potentially compromising response times and reliability. The bond is necessary to ensure the department remains fully equipped to protect the community.
Upcoming events
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April 9
6 pm at Station No. 2, Ramsey Road
Join Chief Tom Greif to hear about the department’s plans and to ask questions.
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April 23
6 pm at Station No. 2, Ramsey Road
Join Chief Tom Greif to hear about the department’s plans and to ask questions.
Contact Us
For questions or more information, please reach out to us: