Fire Department · Career
Northern Lakes Fire Protection District
Hayden, ID · Kootenai County
52 firefighters plus 4 chief officers, a deputy fire marshal, a fleet mechanic, and 3 administrative staff.
Northern Lakes Fire Protection District offers a competitive salary range of $77,938-$93,935 annually with generous benefits including health insurance and retirement plans. EMT certification is required; applications are accepted continuously.
Northern Lakes Fire Protection District in Hayden, ID is hiring Paramedics with an annual salary of $98,937–$104,749. Deadline to apply: August 7, 2026.
Northern Lakes Fire District has served the greater Hayden and Rathdrum area of northern Idaho since 1995, growing into a career department of roughly 60 uniformed and administrative staff protecting about 45,000 residents across five commissioner sub-districts covering city limits, highway corridors, and the lakes region.
The district staffs three fire stations around the clock, running three engines and two advanced life support ambulances under a three-battalion (Red, Blue, Green) rotation on a 48/96 schedule. Every firefighter is a certified EMT, and a majority hold paramedic certification, so engine and ambulance crews are cross-trained to handle both fire and medical calls together.
Call volume has grown substantially, with the district now responding to more than 6,000 emergency calls a year, a roughly 70% increase since 2013. The department is governed by a five-member elected board of commissioners representing the district's sub-districts, who hold public meetings twice monthly.
MissionProvide a high level of proficient and competent service to the citizens and guests within the boundaries of the Fire District. Our personnel will set the standard for professionalism and compassion.
Northern Lakes Fire District uses continuous testing through Public Safety Testing to maintain an up-to-date candidate pool for Entry Level Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic positions. When a vacancy opens, the district pulls from the resulting eligibility list to begin hiring rather than running a one-off application cycle.
Hiring process
- Create a candidate account at Public Safety Testing (publicsafetytesting.com)
- Select the Northern Lakes Fire District position(s) of interest
- Complete continuous testing to join the candidate pool
- When a vacancy occurs, the district builds an eligibility list from the pool and begins hiring
Why do fire engines respond to medical calls?
Ambulances operate with only two personnel, so additional firefighters from the engine assist with patient care, especially on critical calls. All personnel are cross-trained in both medical care and firefighting.
Do ambulance personnel also fight fires?
Yes. All personnel are certified firefighters and licensed EMTs, so ambulances respond to fires and engines respond to medical calls, with appropriate gear carried on each vehicle.
What do firefighters do when not responding to calls?
Personnel train daily, averaging about 20 hours of fire-related training and 3 hours of EMS continuing education monthly, in addition to fire prevention activities, equipment and station maintenance, and district familiarization.
Can emergency vehicles control traffic lights?
Yes, most apparatus are equipped with Opticom systems that emit frequencies which turn traffic lights green in the direction of travel.
Why do fire engines respond to motor vehicle accidents?
Accidents present fire hazards such as fuel leaks and chemicals, and firefighters are trained as EMTs for patient care and vehicle extrication.