Northside Fire District

10/18/2026

Selkirk Fire is hiring a Resident Firefighter for the Bottle Bay Station. Please see the post below for additional information.

❗️ NOW HIRING: RESIDENT FIREFIGHTER❗️

Selkirk Fire, Rescue & EMS is now recruiting for the Resident Firefighter position at our Bottle Bay Fire Station.

It is the intent of Selkirk Fire to maintain an effective resident firefighter program to enhance staffing in rural areas, to improve apparatus response in an emergency, and/or to prepare individuals for a career in the fire service. Resident Firefighters will be required to obtain an IFSAC Firefighter 1 certification within one year and EMT Basic certification within two years of joining the department.

🔻 Minimum Requirements:
1. Be at least 18 years of age upon appointment and a high school graduate/GED
2. Have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by Selkirk Fire
3. Pass a driver’s license, criminal background check and a drug screen
4. Complete and return an application form supplied to the administration office by email or in-person
5. Pass the physical abilities test, arranged by the Training Officer
6. Successfully pass interview process

🔻 To apply:
Please email a letter of interest and resume to: [email protected]
Once the letter is received, an application and “Resident Program Handbook” will be emailed to you.

After submitting the required application materials and reading the Handbook, the candidate will reach out to express continued interest and request an interview.

Thank you for your interest in Selkirk Fire.

10/16/2026

🥶 HEATING SAFETY 🥶

Fall and winter are the other "fire season" for firefighting agencies. This is attributed to unsafe heating conditions. Now that we are heating our homes, it is important to ensure we are taking precautions and using good judgement. Refer to these safety tips for more information:

🔹Never leave working space heaters unattended.
🔹Never use the oven to heat your home.
🔹Leave at least three feet of space around heating devices.
🔹Service your chimney regularly.
🔹Never use your heating device in a cluttered area.
🔹Use the proper fuel for your heating device.

These and tips listed in the worksheet can help keep your home and family safe this winter.

10/16/2026

⚠️ UPDATED ⚠️
Northside Fire District Board of Commissioners
Regular Business Meeting
October 21, 2026 4:00 p.m.
437 Cedar Ave. Ponderay, ID.
208-265-4114

ROLL CALL: ADAMS________ GALLAR________ BOWMAN________

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ANYONE SPEAKING FROM THE FLOOR WILL NEED TO SIGN UP AT THE FRONT TABLE AND GIVE FULL NAME WHEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR.

• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG
• OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT LIMITED TO 2 MIN.

AGENDA:
1. DISCUSSION/ACTION - Adopt the Order of the Agenda
2. DISCUSSION/ACTION - Approval of the Consent Agenda:
▪ Prior Meeting Minutes from September 21, 2026
▪ Financial Reports
▪ Bills Paid
3. DISCUSSION/ACTION – Strategic Plan for Wildfire Deployments 2027
4. DISCUSSION/ACTION – Shared Fire Administration and Command Services Agreement
5. DISCUSSION/ACTION – Bookkeeping Services for Wildfire Division
6. DISCUSSION/ACTION – New Unified Logo
7. JPA COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
8. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Idaho Statute 74-206 (1)(b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer,
employee, staff member or individual agent, or public-school student; (Action Item)
Roll Call Vote: Gallar / Bowman / Adams

Executive Session

Return to Regular Meeting

10. ADJOURN

Any person needing special accommodations to participate in person or remotely should contact Northside Fire at least one business day prior to the meeting by calling (208) 265-4114.

Posted October 15, 2026

10/13/2026

🏫NSFD VISITS SELLE VALLEY CARDEN SCHOOL🏫

We would like to thank Selle Valley Carden School for inviting us to join them and present fire safety training. It was wonderful to meet all the students and talk fire safety with them. The kids were very excited and had some great questions for our firefighters. Some may even be preparing for a career in the fire service.

We look forward to coming back soon. Thank you, Selle Valley Carden School.

10/12/2026

🚨OHV Accident🚨
Esther Lane, Sandpoint
NSFD, SFD, BCEMS
10/12/26, 09:56am

Engines 1231, 1131, Battalion 1202, and BCEMS are responding to an OHV accident in the Sunnyside area. Please use caution in the area and yield to emergency vehicles.

⚠️ Updates in comment section

Bonner County Daily Bee
North Idaho News

10/11/2026

🚨Structure Fire🚨
Timblin Green Rd, Sandpoint
NSFD, SKFD, SFD
10/11/26, 11:02am

Engines 1231, 1233, 1132, and Battalion 1202 are working a structure fire in the Colburn area. Please use caution in the area and yield to emergency vehicles.

Bonner County Daily Bee
North Idaho News
Bonner County Emergency Management
Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS
Sandpoint Fire Department

10/09/2026

🎉 Welcome Back, Chief Gow🎉

We are excited to welcome Battalion Chief Michael Gow back to the ranks of Selkirk Fire. Chief Gow is a dedicated fire service professional bringing 28 years of firefighting experience to our organization. He has progressed through the ranks ultimately serving our community in this leadership role.

Chief Gow has extensive training and experience that he enjoys sharing with others as a mentor and proven leader in the fire service.

Away from the firehouse, Michael’s most important role is with his family. He has been married to his best friend (Laura) for 22 years, and is the proud father of four boys (Hunter, Lincoln, Xander, and Skyler). His family has been a constant source of support throughout his career and remains an important part of his personal and professional growth.

Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong noted, “Chief Gow is a proven leader who moved Selkirk forward during his time in Bonner County, and is well respected among our membership. I look forward to the opportunity to work with him.”

Welcome, Chief Gow! We look forward to your service within Selkirk Fire, Northside Fire, and to our wonderful community.

⚠️ Although Chief Gow is a Selkirk Fire employee, our Battalion Chiefs provide the Northside Fire District with leadership, management, and supervision.

10/04/2026

⚠️ IDL burn permit website maintenance ⚠️

The Idaho Department of Lands Burn Permit System website will be unavailable Monday, October 5th from 6am to 10am Mountain Time. If you are planning to burn, please plan ahead.

Any questions should be directed to IDL. Stay safe, Bonner County.

10/02/2026

⚠️ Fire Chief's Monthly Safety Message ⚠️

HOME HEATING FIRE SAFETY – Stay warm, stay safe!
By: Jeff Armstrong, Fire Chief at Selkirk and Northside Fire

As temperatures drop across North Idaho, wood stoves, and portable space heaters become an important part of keeping our homes warm. Unfortunately, heating equipment can also create a
significant fire risk when it is improperly installed, maintained, or used.

Heating is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. Many of these fires can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions.

Wood Stoves: Wood-burning stoves are common throughout our community and can provide reliable heat, but they require regular maintenance and careful use. Have your chimney, stovepipe, and
woodstove inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional. If you are going to use manufactured logs, use the ones specifically labeled for use in wood stoves. Some fireplace logs contain wax or other binders and should not be used in a wood stove.

Keep furniture, firewood, clothing, curtains, and other combustible materials at least three feet away
from wood stoves and dispose of ashes properly.

Portable Space Heaters: Space heaters can provide supplemental heat, but they require proper use.
While portable space heaters are one of the more uncommon heat sources, they have accounted for a disproportionately large portion of fatal heating fires.

Always keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including bedding, furniture, curtains, clothing, and paper. Electric space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip. I recommend you choose a heater with an automatic tip-over shutoff and turn it off whenever you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke detectors save lives! Fire prevention is important, but early detection is critical when a fire does occur. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms on every level, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms regularly and replace them according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.

Homes with wood stoves, furnaces, or other fuel-burning appliances should also have working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and can become deadly before occupants realize there is a problem.

If you have elderly neighbors, take a moment to check on them this winter. Make sure they have a safe, reliable source of heat and help ensure they understand basic home heating and fire safety.

For additional home heating and fire-prevention information, visit the U.S. Fire Administration:
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/heating/

10/01/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Armstrong, Fire Chief
(208) 265-4114
[email protected]

STRUCTURE FIRE WITH FATALITY
On September 28, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Northside Fire, two Selkirk Fire stations, and Sandpoint Fire were dispatched to North Kootenai Road for a reported structure fire. While responding, the first-arriving engine from the Ponderay station received credible information that an occupant might be trapped inside the residence.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions and a partial structural collapse. The first-arriving engine, staffed with a crew of three, initiated a search by entering the residence through a bedroom window. Firefighters encountered significant contents and obstructions inside the home, which complicated search efforts. Crews searched the bedroom and accessible portions of the structure that remained standing but did not
locate the occupant.

Fire suppression operations continued under deteriorating structural conditions. After the fire was brought under control, the deceased occupant was located near the rear door of
the residence.

The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to investigate the fire. Following an examination of the scene, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Investigators
identified the area of origin as a portion of the residence containing a wood stove, portable heaters, and extension cords. No specific ignition source has been identified.

Northside Fire extends its condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy.

For information on home fire prevention and heating safety, visit the U.S. Fire Administration at: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires

Bonner County Daily Bee
North Idaho News
KREM 2 News