AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Upcoming Vote on Hailey Fire Department Merger
On November 3, voters in Hailey will determine whether the city’s fire department will fully merge operations into a regional district with Ketchum and the Blaine County South Fire District, currently operating as Blaine County Fire and Rescue. This measure proposes consolidating firefighting resources and command under a unified structure, a step some local officials say will improve emergency response across the region.
Background: Formation of Blaine County Fire and Rescue
Ketchum and the Blaine County South Fire District officially combined and rebranded as Blaine County Fire and Rescue on October 1. The department’s chief, Kevan Crawley, was hired in 2025 to oversee this type of fire department consolidation. He previously led similar efforts in Indianapolis and believes a single, unified command will improve service: “Everything we do, every time we go out the door, it's a team effort,” he said.
Impacts on Fire Service Funding and Taxes
One notable change tied to the merger is an expected property tax increase in Hailey. Should the consolidation pass, property taxes funding fire response would rise from approximately $13.95 to an estimated $51.44 per $100,000 of taxable property value, according to the City of Hailey. However, Chief Crawley and city officials note that property tax revenue currently covers only a third of the fire department’s costs. The remaining two-thirds are paid from city funds such as the local option (tourism) tax, which cannot be applied beyond municipal boundaries—including a regional district like the proposed merger.
Evolution of the Firefighting Model
Hailey’s fire department has long relied on a predominantly volunteer fire model, which has kept operating costs comparatively low. Chief Crawley described the structure: “They have a handful of full time people that do inspections and a fire chief,” he said. “Anytime after hours, you have a volunteer agency responding to the calls.”
Both Crawley and Hailey Fire Chief Mike Baledge agree that the volunteer fire model is becoming less viable for the growing city, with calls for assistance rising 67% in Hailey and 40% county-wide since 2020. Recruiting volunteers and relying on their availability during emergencies—especially on weekdays—has become more challenging.
Joint Response and Emergency Outcomes
In summer 2026, Hailey Fire and Blaine County Fire and Rescue began working together under a temporary joint powers agreement. Both chiefs cited a recent major fire in Hailey’s Woodside neighborhood as proof of improved emergency response. Firefighters from both Hailey and Bellevue responded within ten minutes, successfully containing the fire and saving the majority of the affected home’s contents. Volunteers supplemented this response, but did not arrive until seventeen minutes after the initial call. Chief Crawley noted that without a robust, full-time staff, property loss would likely have been much higher.
Looking Ahead: Voter Decision and Future Steps
This November’s vote requires a simple majority to pass. If approved, the consolidation would take effect October 1, 2027, with new property tax rates starting January 2028. There is currently no formal opposition to the merger proposal. However, Crawley acknowledges concerns from taxpayers about the variable fire levy rates throughout the county, which range from $10 to over $100 per $100,000 of taxable property value. He emphasizes that consolidating into a single regional fire district could make costs and emergency service levels more consistent across the community.
If voters reject the merger proposal, Hailey officials may quickly need to seek alternative funding strategies to staff the fire department for a growing city. The issue has broad support from local fire chiefs and the union representing Blaine County firefighters.
Source: boisestatepublicradio.org.
