Asotin County Fire District celebrates 75 years

May 3-The Asotin County Fire District is throwing a party this month to celebrate its 75th anniversary, and you're invited.

An open house is set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 16 at the fire station in the Clarkston Heights. It's just a few blocks from the first home of the district, which was launched in 1951.

Fire Chief Noel Hardin said it started the way most rural departments do, with neighbors stepping up to help one another. There wasn't a big budget or full-time staff, just a group of local volunteers who saw a need and answered it.

"They trained when they could, shared equipment, and relied heavily on each other," Hardin said. "That spirit of community responsibility became the foundation of everything we are today. Even as we've grown and modernized, that same idea, that the people who live here take care of each other, still drives the district. Our volunteers have always been, and continue to be, our most valued resource."

Over the past seven-plus decades, the neighborhood has transformed from orchards to subdivisions and a much busier Appleside Boulevard. The equipment is more advanced, training is more rigorous, and homes are built with modern materials, Hardin said.

Other major changes along the way were adding emergency medical calls to the district's services, and moving into the new fire station.

However, the fire chief, who has been at the helm for 27 years, said some aspects of the fire district will never change.

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"It still takes commitment, teamwork, dedicated people - people willing to leave their homes in the middle of the night to help someone in need," Hardin said. "The amount of training requirements has increased dramatically even in just the last 20 years. We understand it. Training is key to keep firefighters, EMS staff and the public safe. Our volunteers remain at the heart of everything we do, and they continue to adapt to meet the needs of a growing and changing community."

The future of the district is both exciting and challenging, Hardin said. Maintaining high standards and keeping up with the latest trends keep the fire chief and his assistant, Paul Wik, busy.

"Like many volunteer departments, we're always working to recruit and retain volunteers while keeping up with growing demands and new technology," Hardin said. "We are constantly looking at ways to improve our service and find new ways to better serve the public and our growing population."

Fortunately, more people have been willing to serve since the COVID-19 pandemic ended. With weekly training and responses, it is a huge commitment, Hardin said, and officials are always grateful to those who are up for the challenge and willing to give their time.

Volunteers help offset the price tag for firefighting, which has gone up considerably since Hardin began his career.

"The cost to provide service continues to shock me," the longtime chief said. "The cost of a new fire truck or new ambulance has doubled in just the last few years."

At the same time, the level of support we've received from the community gives us a lot of confidence moving forward, the chief said.

"If the past 75 years have shown us anything, it's that when a community invests in its fire district and when volunteers step up, that foundation stays strong."

Commemorating this anniversary provides a prime opportunity to throw open the doors to the people who support the district with their tax dollars, he said.

People can tour the station, check out the equipment up close, and meet the volunteers who respond when something goes wrong.

"We will have demonstrations, safety information, and hands-on activities for kids, so it's not just informative but fun. It's also a chance for us to say thank you, the public support over the years has been incredible, and we truly couldn't do this without it."

Asotin County's fire station is located at 2377 Appleside Blvd. The event will begin with a memorial flag dedication at 10 a.m.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 7:20 AM.