SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners approved a variety of agenda items during Tuesday’s business meeting, including an endorsement letter to support a grant application for Priest Lake EMT.  

In efforts to acquire a new quick response unit, commissioners approved an endorsement letter for Priest Lake EMT for an EMSave Grant.  

The letter, according to Priest Lake EMT volunteer Debbie Anderson, is one of three that are required to obtain the grant, where no county match or fiscal responsibility is required. In presenting the request, Anderson noted that the grant funds would be used to acquire a new quick response unit to provide emergency services across the Priest Lake, Coolin, and Nordman areas, including highways, rural residences, remote backcountry and waterways. 

Anderson noted that the volunteer organization’s current QRU has been in service since approximately 1999. Still, it no longer meets the organization’s operational demands for extrication equipment, backcountry rescue gear and ice rescue equipment.  

“The new quick response vehicle would be used to access backcountry calls, snowmobile calls and auto accidents. We do all the extrication up there because the fire districts in the area are smaller, so we service everything. When something happens out of the district, it’s on us,” Anderson said.  

Priest Lake EMT, separate from Bonner County Ambulance Service District, is a volunteer nonprofit that has serviced the Priest Lake area for over 30 years, according to Anderson.  

In other business news, county commissioners approved a service agreement with Lexipol LLC for training services for court security and bailiffs. 

As part of the contract, an online training platform will be available to security personnel, providing the necessary training to maintain safety among courthouse patrons and employees. The agreement will run through March 31, 2027, and will cost approximately $1,307.  

District court officials also noted that the agreement may reduce overall costs related to training, eliminating the need for security officers and bailiffs to travel for training.  

Commissioners also approved additional items for the Road and Bridge, Human Resources, Airport and Parks and Recreation departments, among others.