East Idaho Times

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced the inclusion of $3,375,000 in funding for the Buhl Rural Fire Protection District Station Project in Buhl, Idaho. This allocation was made through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Act.

“The Buhl Rural Fire Protection District does not currently have a fire station that meets the community's needs,” said Rep. Simpson. “From not being centrally located to lacking sufficient space to house all necessary apparatus, a new fire station is needed to ensure the safety of residents. This project will significantly impact those who protect and serve the community every day. I am proud to support some of Idaho's finest and am pleased to see this critical project advance.”

Andrew Stevens, Fire Chief of the Buhl Rural Fire Protection District, expressed gratitude for Rep. Simpson’s efforts: “The Buhl Rural Fire Protection District is extremely grateful for Congressman Mike Simpson’s diligent work on our behalf and his support of us and the construction of a new firehouse. There is a huge need for a firehouse in Buhl for our community’s safety and well-being as we do not currently have a firehouse. The call volume in this community has steadily risen annually and we want to make sure that we are able to perform our best for the citizens here. This accomplishment would not be possible without the support of Congressman Simpson and his staff, and we are happily anticipating starting construction and having a home for the Buhl Rural Fire Protection District.”

The funding will be used to construct a centrally located fire station within the 102 square miles of the Buhl Rural Fire Protection District. The new facility will feature six apparatus bays housing engines, water tenders, rescue units, quick response units, wildland brush trucks, and incident command vehicles.

Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress like Rep. Simpson to allocate federal dollars back into their communities rather than other states' projects. These funds address specific local needs with broad community support while staying within existing budget limits.

As Idaho’s only appropriator on Capitol Hill, Rep. Simpson emphasized his role in ensuring Idahoans’ tax dollars return to benefit local priorities.

The funding measure has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Act.