PETITION TO FORM A FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT Pine, Featherville, Baumgartner, Fall Creek,

Recent signers:

Jon Inwood•11 months ago

Dianne Schaeffer•12 months ago

Ally Daniels•12 months ago

Lindsay Hubsmith•12 months ago

Tara Brandenburg•12 months ago

Roger Schaeffer•12 months ago

Cindy Heda•12 months ago

Jason Starn•12 months ago

rolf wiesler•12 months ago

Emma Barrett•12 months ago

Katalin Kónya-Jakus•12 months ago

MIREILLE PUJOL•12 months ago

Claudia Neuhalfen•12 months ago

pilar blas•12 months ago

L Saunders•12 months ago

Brenda Ceril•12 months ago

Pam Miller•12 months ago

ashley korsen•12 months ago

The Issue

We, the undersigned residents and property owners of Pine, Featherville, Baumgartner, Fall Creek, and the surrounding communities in Elmore County, Idaho, hereby petition the Elmore County Commissioners to initiate the formation of a Fire Protection District pursuant to Idaho Code Title 31, Chapter 14.

Purpose of the Fire Protection District:

The proposed district will provide critical fire protection, emergency response, and wildland fire suppression services to these remote communities, which are currently underserved and at high risk for wildfire. The establishment of this district will:
Enhance public safety and property protection

Reduce response times for structure and wildland fires
Enable access to state and federal emergency response resources
Support training, equipment, and staffing for volunteer and professional responders
Foster community resilience in the face of increasing wildfire threats

Proposed Boundaries:

The district shall include the unincorporated communities of Pine, Featherville, Baumgartner, Fall Creek, and additional adjacent areas identified as vulnerable and lacking adequate fire response coverage, within Elmore County, Idaho.

Petition Statement:

We respectfully request the Elmore County Board of Commissioners to:

Approve the formation of a Fire Protection District for the aforementioned areas.

Conduct a public hearing to assess community support and outline the scope of services.
Submit the proposed district for a vote by registered voters within the affected area, in accordance with Idaho law.

Andrew McCorklePetition Starter

Media inquiries

200

Recent signers:

Jon Inwood•11 months ago

Dianne Schaeffer•12 months ago

Ally Daniels•12 months ago

Lindsay Hubsmith•12 months ago

Tara Brandenburg•12 months ago

Roger Schaeffer•12 months ago

Cindy Heda•12 months ago

Jason Starn•12 months ago

rolf wiesler•12 months ago

Emma Barrett•12 months ago

Katalin Kónya-Jakus•12 months ago

MIREILLE PUJOL•12 months ago

Claudia Neuhalfen•12 months ago

pilar blas•12 months ago

L Saunders•12 months ago

Brenda Ceril•12 months ago

Pam Miller•12 months ago

ashley korsen•12 months ago

The Issue

Purpose of the Fire Protection District:

Proposed Boundaries:

Petition Statement:

We respectfully request the Elmore County Board of Commissioners to:

Approve the formation of a Fire Protection District for the aforementioned areas.

Andrew McCorklePetition Starter

Media inquiries

Support now

200 The Decision Makers

Elmore County Council,

2 Members

1 Responded

Idaho

Franklin Corbus

Elmore County Council - District 1

“As County Commissioner for District 1, I want you to know that the Elmore County Board of Commissioners support this effort — I have also signed the petition myself and have been actively advocating for it during my time in office. I met with the State Fire Marshal in Featherville, along with the Sheriff and his Deputies, the County Disaster Services Coordinator Carol Killian, EMS Director Alan Roberts and several Featherville residents to advance this cause because I believe in the importance of establishing stronger fire protection for our communities. This was just one of several meeting held with the residents of the area to promote the formation of a fire district, letting them know of the extreme importance to form this district and that it is up to the local residents to get this measure passed. That said, there are limits to what I can do as a Commissioner. Once the formation of a fire district is approved to appear on the ballot, it ultimately becomes a decision for the voters. In the past, similar measures have been defeated at the ballot box. Each time we bring a measure forward, it comes with a cost to taxpayers, so we must be responsible and ensure there is strong community support before putting it to a vote again. The most recent process for the formation of a fire protection district began in November of 2022, with petitions being signed, a Public Hearing held at the County Commissioners meeting and the measure being on the ballot November 7, 2023, resulting in the measure failing to pass. One of the challenges we face is that, under the law, only residents who claim the area as their primary residence are eligible to vote on the creation of the fire district. While it may feel like there is overwhelming support, the decision ultimately lies with a group of about 70 qualifying voters. This makes it especially important to focus outreach and persuasion efforts within that group — and that’s before even considering the official steps required to get the measure on the ballot. I encourage everyone who cares about this issue to continue building grassroots support. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about why this matters and how it can benefit our community. I will continue doing my part to advocate for this effort, and once there is enough public support, we will be in a stronger position to successfully bring the measure back to a vote. Thank you again for your engagement and dedication to improving the safety of our community.”