Like many other cities in the state, Ponderay and Priest River have signed declarations of local disaster emergency in response to the anticipated COVID-19 impact on the communities.

Declarations of emergency are common tools employed by cities, counties and states in response to anticipated needs related to disasters or emergencies. Priest River and Ponderay officials issued the declarations in the midst of continued efforts to help their communities deal with the effects of closures, quarantines and other impacts related to the nationwide COVID-19 health crisis.

“A declaration of emergency is not a reflection on the state of readiness or ability to respond to everyday needs, it is just another way that we are being proactive to respond to this situation,” Priest River Mayor Jim Martin. “ As we progress in our community response efforts, this is simply a tool to access funding and other resources that may be made available from state and federal levels that we wouldn’t normally have access to.”

Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger and city Clerk Su Warren said their city also has signed an emergency declaration for similar reasons.

The two communities, like many other counties and cities across the state have issued the declarations and more are expected in coming days. In addition, President Donald Trump recently signed a Federal declaration, and Governor Brad Little issued a state declaration of emergency last week for the state of Idaho.

Martin said Priest River’s declaration is expected to be ratified by the council at a special meeting on Monday, March 23.

As part of the emergency declaration, Martin said the council will be voting on a resolution outlining specific responses and operational changes the city will be making. Among them, the Priest River City Hall and the Police Department will be closed to the public and all council meetings will be held telephonically. A conference number will be given out to the public and the media so they are able to call in and listen to all council meetings.

The declarations follow a similar one by the city of Sandpoint on Wednesday and Bonner County on Tuesday.

“Basically, it gives us the ability if we have to spend any money on this issue — which we may or may not — it can be a reimbursable amount that can be given back to county taxpayers,” Commissioner Dan McDonald said on Tuesday.

McDonald called the declaration a standard operating procedure, which followed Gov. Brad Little’s statewide emergency declaration.

“I put it out last night on Facebook that it was coming because I didn’t want people to panic. It’s SOP,” he said.

For information on the local COVID-19 response, please visit the Panhandle Health website at panhandlehealthdistrict.org or follow them on social media. Additional information is available on the CDC website as well as on the City of Priest River website and social media.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @Carol DailyBee.