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Don Gronning
DIAMOND LAKE – Shane Stocking has accepted the job as Fire Chief for South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue.
While it will be Stocking’s first job as a fire chief, he has 15 years’ experience as a firefighter, says SPOFR fire district commissioner Randy Miller.
“He has quite the impressive resume,” Miller said. Stocking spent time with career fire departments in both California and Florida. He is also a certified paramedic.
Most recently Stocking will be coming from Gainsville, Florida, Miller said.
He has also worked in Chino, California, where he was featured in a 2017 television newscast about his friendship with a 9-year-old boy battling cancer. When the boy lost his hair because of chemotherapy, Stocking, a firefighter who visited the boy regularly while he was in the hospital, shaved his head, too. “A few of the many reasons Shane was chosen to be the next Chief at SPOFR are because of the passion he demonstrated for serving the community,” SPOFR wrote in a news release announcing Stocking’s hire. “His philosophies of empowering the current members and staff to be successful, and his drive to create a successful organization by leading by example from the top down.
“We truly feel that Chief Stocking through positive relationships, communication, and cooperation will lead SPOFR to unprecedented levels of success.”
Stockton is married with three daughters and has numerous family members in the Spokane and Sandpoint areas, Miller said.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue family and serve alongside the dedicated volunteers, staff and commissioners,” Stocking said in the news release. “This is a special organization that serves with pride and provides invaluable and reliable service to our neighbors.”
He said he intends to use his experience to make an immediate impact on the area as SPOFR continues to provide all hazards response to the county and Newport.
“My family has a history of Fire/ EMS service in the region, and my wife and three daughters are ecstatic to be part of the community and enjoy all of the renowned beauty and activities.”
Miller said Stocking will start Sept. 1. He was hired after a nation-wide search that produced five candidates, Miller said. Two were interviewed and Stocking was offered the job.
SPOFR has had in interim chief since Mike Nokes left to work for Spokane County’s Fire District 4 in 2023 after heading SPOFR for 13 years. He was replaced by Brad Martin in March 2023. Martin left to go to work for Fire District 2 and Dan Williams from Spokane Fire District 4 has been interim chief since Jan. 1, 2024.
Williams was paid $92,500 annually as interim chief. Miller said he didn’t have Stocking’s exact salary, but that Stocking would be paid more than that.
