WALLACE – The recently re-established Shoshone County Dive Team (SCDT) received a major boost this week thanks to a donation from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office. 

During a meeting with the Shoshone County Commissioners, Sheriff Holly Lindsey, and Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 Chief Scott Dietrich, the board approved the sheriff’s office’s donation of SCUBA equipment valued at $14,400 to the dive team. 

The SCDT was initially revived as a collaborative effort among several Silver Valley first responder agencies. However, due to staffing limitations and time constraints, the team has since been reduced to local EMS personnel only, Dietrich said. 

In a letter to Lindsey, Dietrich expressed concern about liability issues stemming from the county’s previous loan of the equipment to the dive team. 

“We are using equipment that is owned by the sheriff’s department, but the sheriff’s department has no members on the team or interaction with the equipment,” Dietrich said. “If a SCUBA diver were to have a medical emergency or death while using this equipment, I see this creating some legal responsibility from Shoshone County.” 

The donated equipment includes several dive suits, refillable air tanks, regulators, and multiple buoyancy control devices, all of which were recertified after Dietrich restarted the team.  

Originally a nonprofit, the SCDT now operates under the authority of Shoshone County Fire District No. 2. This shift allows team members to be covered by workers’ compensation in the event of an accident. Dietrich said efforts are underway to dissolve the nonprofit and bring the team fully under SCFD2’s control. 

While all three commissioners agreed the donation made sense, Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman raised concerns about whether additional formalities were needed before finalizing the transfer. 

The board ultimately approved the donation, contingent on review and approval from Shoshone County Prosecutor Ben Allen’s office. 

Dietrich’s long-term plan includes expanding the team to 10–15 divers, securing funds to purchase a boat, and training team members to operate it. 

The donated equipment is currently stored in a trailer at SCFD2, ready to be mobilized quickly for water rescues or recoveries.