Headquarters (208) 286-7772
About the Star Fire Protection District
History and Background
The Star Fire Protection District (SFPD) has been providing fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) for over 70 years to the growing community of Star.
Today, the District serves more than 22,000 residents. Since 2018, the District’s population increased by 55%. Also during that time, more than 2,500 structures have been constructed.
Station 51 is located in the downtown area of Star and Station 52 is located to the west on Kingsbury Rd., they currently house fire/EMS personnel to serve SFPD’s 55-square mile service area.
In an effort to maximize resources, in 2019 a collaborative partnership began between MRFD and SFPD and we entered into an agreement to share administrative leadership positions. Since then, the partnership has evolved and the two Districts now share a Fire Chief, District Administrator and administrative support staff, as well as Deputy and Battalion Chiefs that lead and oversee daily operations of both Districts that has become known as MidStar Fire. This partnership has resulted in significant cost savings per year for each District, allowing for more “boots on the ground” to respond to calls and protect our Communities 24/7!
Facilities to house fire protection and EMS personnel and apparatus have not increased since 2020 when the community approved a bond measure to secure a 37,000 sq/ft facility in a desirable location that was remodeled into Station 51. Station 51 houses MidStar shared administrative offices, a community room, and the apparatus maintenance division. Station 51 solved immediate service needs in the downtown area of the District at a $93 per sq/ft cost. Since that time, the District implemented development impact fees on new residential and commercial construction in order to fund future facilities.
The District is building a new Station 55 on Floating Feather Road to better serve the northeastern portion of the District to improve response times throughout the District.
Funding Realities
While state statutes allow fire districts to implement development impact fees to fund facilities, these funds cannot be used to fund annual operating and personnel costs.
In 2020, the Idaho Legislature passed HB 389 which caps the District’s ability to grow its annual budget. With the incredible growth SFPD has experienced, coupled with the inability to grow annual operating budgets commensurately, the District is unable to grow in tandem with the community.
In addition, inflationary cost increases have impacted annual expenses for the District. According to a January 2024 survey of Idaho fire departments, A Type 1 fire engine purchased in 2020 for $600,000 now costs $1,100,000. Firefighter protective gear and equipment that was $33,800, now runs $40,900.
SFPD’s annual operating budget is funded primarily by property taxes. With the State-mandated budget growth limitations in place, the District’s annual operating costs are outpacing current budget authority.
The District is exploring a permanent levy override that would provide annual funding for fire protection/EMS services personnel as well as adequate and up-to-date apparatus to respond to emergency needs in our District. A permanent levy override must be approved by 66.7 percent of voters.