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NEWPORT – People can come meet South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue Chief Shane Stocking Saturday, March 15, when he holds the first Coffee with the Fire Chief at My Sidewalk Café, from 8:3010 a.m. in downtown Newport.
SPOFR has been contacted by people with questions on the county- led initiative about forming an Emergency Services District. Stocking believes it is best to conduct an open Q&A over coffee, since SPOFR values both EMS and daily caffeination.
SPOFR remains against the formation of a county- wide EMS district and is steadfast in providing the best possible level of service with local control and fiscal accountability. While any questions are appropriate for this event, the EMS district will be at the forefront and afforded ample time for discussion.
Stocking started as Fire Chief of SPOFR Sept. 1, 2024. South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue is a full-service fire and EMS agency serving the Southern third of Pend Oreille County, including the City of Newport. There are about 10,000 people and hundreds of square miles in the district, which has nine fire stations with 15 full-time employees and more than 60 volunteers.
Two fire stations, Diamond Lake and Newport, are staffed by career firefighters and paramedics, while a third at Sacheen Lake is staffed by a combination of residents and daytime command staff. SPOFR has a balanced budget of about $2.2 million. It is predominantly property tax-funded.
