Stevens County Fire District No.1

05/05/2026

Stevens Fire District 1 wants to hear from you!

We are looking to put two EMS transport (ambulance) committee groups together. There will be one on the north and the south ends of the fire district. Each group will meet at either the Loon Lake Station or the Suncrest Station.

The purpose is to hear what your expectations are, then to educate on what is being done, or, at least, attempted at being done, both in the fire district and county-wide.

There is a lot of in-depth information that needs to be shared between the community and the fire district, and this gives us a better way to share that information and learn from you.

We are looking for those that are from "outside looking in," meaning no real preconceived notions of what EMS is all about (other than the basics). No meeting dates or times are set, but will be discussed once committee members are chosen.

If you are interested, DO NOT call the office. We need you to email Fire Chief Mike Bucy at [email protected]. In the subject line put EMS committee and in the body provide a 1-paragraph (or so) reason on why you want to serve.

04/24/2026

Spring Reminders:
The water is still cold (50° today).
Wear your life vest!
Expect the unexpected.

Fire District 1 crews were alerted to a person in the water. Stevens County 911 advised that a male walked to a residence off of Adams Drive Way in Ford reporting his boat had sunk and his friend was still in the water.

Crews responded to that area while also setting up a landing zone fore Life Flight Network at the Lake Spokane Campground. Life Flight was initially going to be used to help locate the person in the water, but due to great communication, the person in the water was located about 2,000' off the shore. He was conscious and alert so time was definitely a factor.

The National Park Service and Spokane County Sheriff deputies responded with their boats. Engine 2's crew from Fire District 1 went with the NPS on their boat with cold water rescue gear and assisted NPS officers with the rescue.

The victim, cold, tired, but alert, was brought back to shore to the awaiting crews from Deer Park Ambulance and Life Flight. The patient was stripped of his wet clothing and placed in a warmer.

Life Flight transported the patient to Sacred Heart where he is expected to make a full recovery.

This was a great example of multiple agencies working together to save this life:

*Stevens County 911
*Stevens County Sheriff's Office
*River State Park Rangers
*National Park Service Rangers
*Deer Park Ambulance
*Life Flight Network

Please be careful out there!

04/24/2026

On the morning of April 23, upper-class students at Lakeside High School attended a Mock Car Crash, developed by Fire District 1 in cooperation with the Nine Mile School District.

The crash simulated a DUI crash on the night of Prom. The students were given a briefing before the event started, reminding them what this was about and also that counselling would be available if needed.

They then moved out to the football field where the simulated crash was set up and ready (including several students made up in various forms of traumatic injury. One death was simulated and the police on scene arrested the suspected DUI driver. While Life Flight was scheduled to participate, real-world calls kept them from landing at the scene.

After this scene was completed, the event moved back inside where a very realistic funeral with eulogies were given on behalf of the deceased. The "deceased's" mother even participated, as a closed casket provided a backdrop.

From the funeral, the event moved into the trial phase, where the driver, dressed in black and white prison garb, was put on trial and sentenced (to 90 months, plus 24 months of community time) to jail.

The event finished up with words by School Resource Office and Sheriff's Deputy Matt Turnridge and Fire Chief Mike Bucy.

Throughout the event, students were reminded that counsellors would be available to them, not only immediately after the event, but whenever they might need them, long after this even was over.

Participating Agencies:
*Lakeside High School
*Washington State Patrol
*Stevens County Sheriff's Office
*Deer Park Ambulance
*Life Flight Network
*Spokane County Prosecutor's Office
*Fairmount Funeral Home

04/23/2026

District 1 fire crews responded to a house fire early this morning in the 7600 block of Hwy 291. No injuries were reported but a family pet was presumed lost in the fire.

Initial 9-1-1 calls indicated the home was already well-involved and that was confirmed by the first arriving crew.

That crew protected outbuilding structures while a water supply was set up.

The Red Cross and Fire District Chaplain were also called to assist the displaced occupants. Cause was determined to be accidental but is still under investigation.

04/22/2026

***PUBLIC INFORMATION NOTICE***

MOCK CRASH SAFETY EDUCATION EVENT
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 8:10 AM–11:00 AM
Lakeside High School – Suncrest, Washington

COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION
Stevens County Fire Protection District 1, in partnership with Lakeside High School and regional public safety partners, will conduct a Mock Crash Safety Education Event on Thursday, April 23, 2026, for Lakeside High School junior and senior students.
This event is part of a coordinated prevention effort intended to educate students on the consequences of impaired driving, distracted driving, and unsafe choices behind the wheel, particularly during prom season.

The program is designed to be offered on a two-year cycle, providing all students an opportunity to participate during their high school years.

EXERCISE OVERVIEW
The event will include:
• Student assembly and safety messaging
• Simulated two-vehicle crash demonstration
• Coordinated emergency response scenario
• Mock funeral reflection
• Mock trial and sentencing demonstration
Participating agencies may include:
Stevens County Fire Protection District 1
Stevens County Sheriff’s Office
Ambulance Service Personnel
Life Flight Air Medical (if available)

NOTICE TO COMMUNITY
Residents in the vicinity of Lakeside High School may observe:
• Emergency vehicles operating in the area
• Apparatus movement on or near campus
• Lights and sirens associated with the simulation
• Helicopter activity, if air medical participation occurs

THIS IS A PLANNED TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL EXERCISE.
THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY.

No public action is required.

PURPOSE
This event is intended to provide students with a realistic, age-appropriate demonstration of:
• The complexity of emergency response
• The human impact of serious crashes
• The legal and emotional consequences of impaired driving
Through education and prevention, the goal is to encourage students to make safe and responsible decisions.

Photo from a previous Mock Car Crash Event.

04/20/2026

We are happy to partner with Nine Mile Falls School District and Lakeside High School to put this event on. Mock crashes bring a realism to a concept that not many can fully understand.

Please make sure all School District communications are read and understood about this event.

Lakeside High School families,

On Thursday, April 23 (8:10–11:00 AM), we will be hosting a Mock Crash Safety Program in partnership with local emergency responders. This powerful, realistic event is designed to highlight the dangers of impaired and distracted driving as we approach prom season.

You may see emergency vehicles, lights, sirens, and possibly a Life Flight helicopter, this is only a simulation, not a real emergency.

Please note: Some parts of the program may be emotional. Counselors and staff will be available to support students.

Our goal is to help students make safe, responsible choices and understand how one decision can impact lives.

Thank you for your continued support!

04/20/2026

It is wildland season--fires have started in various counties across the Northeast.

Stevens County (including Fire District 1) has already seen multiple responses to reports of wildland fires.

These fires are mostly "supervised" burns that have gotten away from the "supervisors." Especially when they choose to burn on windy days.

There is a lot of dead, flashy surface fuels ready to quickly ignite and spread. We are actually fairly dry on the surfaces around the area.

Also a reminder: burning of any kind of debris is NOT allowed in Urban Growth Areas (Suncrest to Stonelodge, Clayton, and Springdale). Only campfires burning seasoned wood is allowed. Fines can reach $10,000 per day from the Dept. of Ecology.
Below is the burning regulations from the DNR site.

Burn barrels are never allowed, anywhere

Here is more information on Urban Growth Areas:
https://www.scfpd1.com/urban-growth-areas

04/06/2026

Over 5.5 miles of hose gets tested annually. Crews work with a contractor over a two-day period to make sure all of our hose gets tested for continued use.

This is important both for the safety of our firefighters and for the Washington Survey and Ratings Bureau (who set the foundation for traditional insurance ratings).

04/05/2026

Happy Easter to all! It should be a beautiful spring day, so enjoy safely!

We loved helping out at Easter egg hunt at the middle school yesterday and appreciate the invitation!

04/04/2026

Come give blood today!

Fire District 1 Station 8 in Suncrest.

Vitalant will be here until noon and they have a few openings!