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Our MISSION,
to provide and enhance leadership of the fire-based emergency
services within our District.
Our VISION, to promote the leadership, integrity, education,
information and representation that will improve the fire-based
emergency services for the community.
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Spirit Lake Fire Protection District Sub-Station
#2
Blanchard, Idaho
The History of Blanchard's Fire Station...
(Pen & Ink created and provided
by Chris Bishop)
Ground breaking for the Blanchard
Fire Substation took place on August 4, 1987 and construction began
soon after. A citizens group (a forerunner to Blanchard Area
Seniors Incorporated, BASIC) spearheaded the building project and
establishment of the fire station.
The group saw the need for Blanchard to have an official fire protection
station. Although Blanchard was covered unofficially
by Spirit Lake District at the time, an election for annexation took
place on November 4, 1986 and the voters passed annexation into the Spirit
Lake District by 92 per cent of
the votes. With
this accomplished there was a need for a building to house fire trucks
and a main location for first responders, volunteers and for Spirit
Lake personnel serving the Blanchard area. A non-profit Corporation
was formed to raise funds and to find a suitable building site.
The group was officially incorporated
under the name Blanchard Fire Substation, Incorporated on March
4, 1987. They were successful in raising $6000. over a period of
13 months through various raffles, craft sales and bake sales.
They also requested that residents pledge what would be equivalent
to the tax base, which they would pay if the fire station were
already built.
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Stoneridge Resort and manager Cindy Thomas
were instrumental in helping with the fundraising efforts. An additional $2000
was given by the Resort. The costs for the building were all secured
through donations and citizen fundraising. There was some volunteer
labor and donated materials as well.
During the process Fielden
Poirier Jr. (Sonny) donated a piece of property on Hwy 41, across
from the Blanchard Tavern to the Spirit Lake Fire District for
the Blanchard substation. Those
who were in the original fire station group were Chuck and Gen
Lind, Dorothy Smith, Margaret Capen, Jim Pogue, Helen Keller, Hershel
Endicott (father of Anne Founds), Soni Capellen (mother of Geri
Strange), Rae Adams (mother of Barbara Hornby), Ada Rambo (Aunt
of Barbara Hornby), George and Winnie Hanson, and Dana Slater.
The fire chief at that time was Ed Hoffman.
The fundraising group was concerned with the appearance of the property
and stipulated that the two largest trees on the property be preserved. This
request was honored and the trees still stand by the fire station today.
Having raised the needed funds for the building, the Corporation was
dissolved on November 16, 1987 and a new Senior Citizen Group (Blanchard
Area Seniors, Incorporated) was formed for the purpose of further community
involvement. Today, funds are being raised through the “Give Us
A Hand” campaign to build and support a Blanchard senior/community
center.
Presently, the fire station has four fire trucks and is operated by Spirit
Lake Fire Department and volunteers from the Blanchard area. The Fire
Chief is John DeBernardi.
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