

Newman Lake
FIRE & RESCUE
Spokane County Fire District 13
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Fiscal Responsibility and Fleet Updates at Spokane County Fire District #13 / Newman Lake Fire & Rescue
At Spokane County Fire District #13 / Newman Lake Fire & Rescue, we take great pride in being fiscally responsible with the resources entrusted to us. You may have noticed some "new to us" vehicles or apparatus recently added to our fleet or parked at our station, and we’d like to provide some insight into how these additions were made possible, all while being mindful stewards of your tax dollars.
Outfitting a brand-new emergency response vehicle can cost $80,000 to $90,000 or more when factoring in essential equipment. However, through strategic planning and smart purchasing, we’ve significantly reduced costs while enhancing our operational capabilities.
Highlights from the Past Year
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Cost-Effective Vehicle Purchase:
Last year, we acquired a fully functional Ford Explorer response vehicle for under $6,000. Subsequently, we sold an older vehicle for nearly the same amount, resulting in a cost-neutral upgrade. -
Exceptional Deal on Two Tahoes:
While purchasing a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, the seller generously donated a 2012 model at no additional cost. Both vehicles were already equipped with emergency lighting and other essential features, allowing us to bring both units into service for under $50,000 total — a fraction of the cost of one new vehicle. -
Grant-Funded Brush Truck:
We were fortunate to receive 2011 Type 6 Brush Truck (the green one) at no cost through a grant opportunity in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In addition, we received $20,000 in grant funding to assist in outfitting it for deployment. This vehicle now works alongside our two 2001 brush trucks, increasing our wildland response capabilities without impacting our local budget. -
Surplus Tender
We sold a 1993 water tender, (that was replaced in 2022), for $25,000
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Surplus Command Vehicles
We Sold an additional command vehicle that was no longer being used,
a 2001 Jeep, for $4000.
These funds purchased a patient transport unit for our UTV, which has been
used several times over the winter months.
-
2008 Expedition sold for $5000
Net Value:
Since 2024, the district has sold a total of four vehicles, ranging in age from 17 to 35 years, generating proceeds of $39,000. During the same period, we acquired four newer vehicles, aged between 10 and 14 years, at a total cost of $36,600. As a result, the proceeds from the sale of surplus vehicles have exceeded the cost of the replacement vehicles by $2,400.
We understand that the appearance of newer vehicles might raise questions, and we want to assure our community that these acquisitions were made with a strong focus on cost-efficiency and improved service delivery. Every decision was made with the goal of maximizing the value of your tax dollars while continuing to enhance the safety and effectiveness of our response operations.
Thank you for your continued support and for allowing us the honor of serving the Newman Lake community.
— Spokane County Fire District #13 / Newman Lake Fire & Rescue
ABOUT US
Newman Lake Fire & Rescue began in 1949 when citizens of the community had to watch the Woehrle home burn due to the lack of water to extinguish the flames. A meeting was organized after that and a fund was established to begin a fire department, the Tri-Community Grange became a sponsor. By late 1951, $2,000 had been raised to purchase a fire truck. The first fire apparatus was a 1941 Ford Pumper with a 500 gallon tank purchased from Spokane Valley Fire District #1.
Volunteer labor (over 200 man hours) built the first fire station at Cherokee Landing. The station contained a bell, siren and small wood stove.
More...
Daron Bement
Fire Chief
FT Admin Firefighter/Paramedic
Bob Kolva
Captain
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Brisa Ambach
Volunteer Coordinator
Support Firefighter
Blake Christensen
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Rob Hecker
Community Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Julie Jennings
Community Volunteer
Admin Support
Andrea Licari
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Gavin Olson
Resident
Recruit
Matt Schucker
Community Volunteer
Interior Firefighter
Luke Winkler
Community Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Robin Harbin
Administrative Assistant
Admin/EMT
Mike Jennings
Lieutenant
Firefighter/Maintenance
Kelli Lemley
Community Liaison
Support Firefighter/EMT
Michael Garrison Stuber
Community Volunteer
Support Firefighter
Dakota Hibdon
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Luke Johnston
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Mikayla Mantegna
Community Volunteer
Recruit
Ben Peacock-Conklin
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Gavin Shoemaker
Resident
Recruit
Josh Ambach
Operations Captain
FT Firefighter/IV EMT
Jim Stevenson
Lieutenant
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Mandie Ambach
Volunteer Medic
Support Firefighter /Paramedic
Dillon Gollaher
Community Volunteer
Interior Firefighter
Connor Hunnel
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Jonathan Kendrick
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Dylan McGillen
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Hayden Phelps
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Matthew Spitze
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Jake Ambach
Captain
Interior Firefighter/Paramedic
Carleen VanDerostyne
Lieutenant
Interior Firefighter/AEMT
Michelle Breach
Community Volunteer
Support Firefighter/EMT
Andrew Gray
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Allen Hunter
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Kenny Lam
Shift Volunteer
Interior Firefighter/EMT
Dakota Means
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Collin Putt
Shift Volunteer
Recruit
Dave VanDerostyne
Community Volunteer
Interior Firefighter

Pumping at our live fire training

2/22/22 Hangar Fire

Live fire training

New Hydrovent tool - works great
CONTACT
"Serving Newman Lake with Pride"
Since 1949
SCFD #13 Established 1958
Inquiries
For any inquiries, questions or comments, please call: 509-226-1482 or fill out the following form
Contact Us

NLFR Tender 13-4
Newman Lake Fire & Rescue
Main Office
PO Box 70
9324 N Starr Road
Newman Lake, WA 99025
Tel: 509-226-1482
Daron Bement
Fire Chief
Josh Ambach
Captain
Robin Harbin
Administrative Assistant
Community Links
Fire & Safety Links
Safety Tip Sheets from the National Fire Protection Association.
Includes a wide variety of topics to increase the safety in your home, for your family, in the outdoors and in various public situations.
National Weather Service - Spokane
Keep ahead of the weather, including any weather warnings.
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center
Information about current wildfires in Washington and Orgeon. You can view a map of the fires, and navigate to more information.
Northern Rockies Coordination Center
Information about current wildfires in Idaho and beyond. You can view a map of the fires, and navigate to more information.