Fire District
Departmental Divisions
Over 80 career personnel provide a wide range of emergency and support services throughout our fire district.
Support Services Division
Our Support Services Division supports our efforts through code enforcement, public education, arson investigation and fleet and facility management.
Administration Staff
Our Administration Staff includes finance, human resources, and administration staff who work behind the scenes to keep the department running smoothly.
Fire Suppression & Rescue
Our Fire Suppression and Rescue personnel provide structural and wildland fire suppression, extrication, tech rescue, emergency medical services, and ambulance transport at the advanced life support level. We are also the sponsoring agency for the Idaho State Region 1 Hazardous Materials Response Team, coordinating HazMat response to Idaho’s five northern counties.
Meet our Firefighters | More About our EMS
Training Division
Our Training Division ensures that all of our personnel are well trained and ready to respond to a variety of emergent and non-emergent situations.
More about our Training Program
KCFR creates Frank Harwood award
by CAROLYN BOSTICK Staff Writer | March 5, 2026 1:08 AM POST FALLS — It’s been a difficult year of departmental obstacles and personal hardships, Fire Chief Pete Holley said, but after all that Kootenai County Fire and Rescue went through in 2025, he said he was proud of his team. KCFR recognized exceptional service, leadership and community partnership during its recent awards banquet, including a new award posthumously named for Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, which prioritizes mentorship,...
Mission Statement
We protect life, property and our community with Honor, Integrity and Pride.
We will uphold public trust through accountability to ourselves, our peers and those we serve.
Organization
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue is a fire district organized to provide fire and emergency services to the citizens within our boundaries. Unlike a fire department – which is typically part of a city or county government – a fire district operates independently, under the direction of a locally elected board of fire commissioners. The board of fire commissioners is responsible for establishing the budget, adopting polices and for hiring the fire chief, who acts as the chief executive officer.
Fire districts act as regional providers of fire and emergency services. Unlike a city or county fire department, a fire district is an independent taxing agency which allows us to focus revenues solely on providing the best emergency services in a cost-effective manner.
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue works closely with Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System (KCEMSS) to provide EMS service in our area. KCEMSS is a County wide Ambulance district which provides funding (from both taxes and user fees) to fire districts for manning ambulances. You will notice both the KCEMSS logo and the fire district logo on ambulances and paramedic units throughout Kootenai County.
Fire Department Leadership
Meet the Command Staff
Pete Holley
INTERIM FIRE CHIEF
Pete began his Fire Service career as a volunteer in 2009 in Eagle Idaho. In the same year, he began the process to become a Paramedic by attending school at the College of Southern Idaho. He earned his associate degree in Paramedicine and became a Paramedic in 2011. Pete came to North Idaho after being offered a Firefighter Paramedic position at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue in August of 2011. He has spent much of his career as a Firefighter Paramedic and has also served as a Captain. Pete has also continued his educational pursuits by obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Paramedicine from Central Washington University. Pete was selected to be the Deputy Chief of Operations in February of 2023 and then the Interim Fire Chief in August of 2025.
Pete is married to his wonderful wife of 23 years, and they have 5 boys that keep them very busy. They enjoy camping, outdoor activities and all things sports related.
Bryon Johnson
DIVISION CHIEF OF TRAINING
Bryon’s career began in July of 1998 as a volunteer with Kootenai County Fire Protective District #1 as a Firefighter/EMT. In 2002, he was hired as a driver for Kootenai County Fire & Rescue which was the consolidation of Kootenai County Fire Protective District #1 and Post Falls Fire Department. 2003 brought new opportunities for him with his promotion to Lieutenant, then Captain, where he spent the majority of his career. In 2020, Bryon was promoted to a Battalion Chief until his current rank Division Chief of Training and Safety was achieved in 2022.
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue has many disciplines. Our members and staff are accomplished and proficient in performing to best suit the ever-changing needs of the community when a call for assistance is made no matter the nature. In 1999 Bryon pursued the discipline of hazardous materials since Kootenai County Fire Protective District #1 initially hosted the State Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. This initial training and response to hazardous materials incidents has led to a 24-year commitment Bryon made to the public, the fire department, and our professional partners, the Regional HazMat Team members, and State IOEM Offices including the Governor to support these affiliations by affording training and responding to incidents when they occur. Bryon is the Team Leader for the hazardous materials Team both locally and at the state level and enjoyed watching the growth in this role the past 17 years in this capacity.
Bryon and his incredible wife Wendy live in Liberty Lake, Washington and enjoy watching what course their daughter’s exciting life is affording her as well as the new experiences she shares with them.
Mitchell Copstead
DIVISION CHIEF OF LOGISTICS
Mitchell is married to his lovely wife of 16 years, and they have 2 children. They enjoy camping, fishing, and riding motorcycles.
Kevin Lawler
DIVISION CHIEF OF EMS
Kevin’s career in the Fire Service began at Kootenai County Fire & Rescue in September of 2007, where he was hired as a Firefighter Paramedic. During his tenure, he has served as an Engineer, Captain, and Medical Service MSO. Prior to beginning his career at Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, he worked as an EMS care provider in Las Vegas, Nevada. He not only values the community that we serve, but the people that he serves with. Over the last 17 years of service to Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Kevin has focused on providing a quality patient and provider experience, the importance of mental and physical health, and building quality relationships with internal and external partners. This hard work and dedication have prepared him for the job of Division Chief of EMS.
Kevin has been married to the love of his life for 20 years and they have 3 kids together. In their down time, they enjoy all the outdoor activities North Idaho has to offer and watching their kids play sports.
Jeryl Archer
DIVISION CHIEF OF PREVENTION & FIRE MARSHAL
Jeryl was recently promoted to Division Chief of Prevention. In 2011 he was appointed to the position of Fire Marshal. In this position he has developed strong working relationships with the business community. He works with multiple governmental agencies as a code enforcer and an entirely different set of agencies as a Fire Investigator. Jeryl has developed an Engine company inspection program that focuses on firefighter safety first and addresses the safety concerns of our community.
Jeryl is married to his amazing wife Sheri and has two adult children.
Casey Hamilton
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
Casey brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the Director of Administration at Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. Her background in process improvement, data analytics, healthcare finance, and corporate compliance positions her well for success in her role for KCFR. Having served as a Compliance Officer for a local Community Health Center, Casey has a strong foundation in ensuring regulatory adherence and best practices.
With 20 years of experience under her belt, Casey has a deep understanding of the intricacies of healthcare administration. Her commitment to efficiency and process improvement is already evident in the positive changes she is making on the administrative side of the district. Despite being newer to the public safety sector, her enthusiasm and dedication to forward motion bode well for the continued success of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue.
Casey’s educational background is notable, having completed her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in 2010 and obtaining her master’s degree in legal studies in 2021. This combination of healthcare administration and legal studies illustrates a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape and a well-rounded skill set.
Outside of her professional achievements, Casey’s personal life is marked by a strong family foundation. She resides in Hayden, Idaho with her wonderful husband of 20 years and their two busy boys.
Overall, Casey is a valuable addition to Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, bringing a unique blend of skills, experience, and enthusiasm to her role as the Director of Administration.