SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Ambulance board has approved a medical director agreement between the district and Ronald D. Jenkins, MD.  

The agreement was approved in a 2-0 vote, with Commissioner Brian Domke absent, and will start Wednesday, Oct. 1, and remain in effect for one year.   

According to a memorandum shared with the district’s board, the medical director will be responsible for serving as a primary authority in developing the BCEMS system’s training, treatment and medical transportation policies.  

It further indicates that the position shall be considered as a member of the BCEMS system’s executive leadership staff, being available for all meetings and policy discussions relating to the quality of the district's emergency medical care.  

As part of the contracted agreement, the medical director will receive an annual amount of $45,460, paid monthly in installments of $3,780.  

According to Kootenai Health, Dr. Jenkins earned his medical degree in 1982 from University of Utah School of Medicine, where he also completed his internship and residency. Jenkins further continued his training at University of Auckland and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  

Jenkins joined Kootenai Heart Clinics in 2005, where he works in the Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint offices.  

In other business news, the ambulance district approved four annual contracts for medical transport services in the county until Oct. 1, 2026.  

The approved contracts are between BCEMS and Clark Fork Valley Ambulance, Schweitzer Fire District, Priest Lake EMTs Inc and Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System.  

According to a memorandum submitted to the district’s board, BCEMS will be responsible for paying the following to each municipality:  

Clark Fork Valley Ambulance, $45,360 annually; Schweitzer Fire District, $41,082 annually; Priest Lake EMTs Inc, $48,690 annually; Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System $9,564 annually.