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 an effort 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 required to obtain the grant, which requires no county match or fiscal responsibility. 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 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 served 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 in court security and bailiff services. 

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 training costs by 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.