Bonner County needs to stay the course with EMS

Many of us recall the initial meetings to form a countywide medical service many years ago. Perhaps the formation of Bonner County Emergency Medical Services by that board, was not done properly; they failed to have a vote of the public to impose the new tax. However, we all knew the issues and short-comings with the private ambulance service. Creating Bonner County EMS was the best solution. Sometimes doing the “right thing” is more important than “doing things right.” Bonner County EMS has served us countywide extremely well, and grown into a highly valuable first responder asset of Bonner County.

Initially, Bonner County EMS had some growing pains and suffered from a lack of strong leadership. Once effective leadership was provided, Bonner County EMS evolved into more than “city curbside medical transport.” Bonner County EMS provides the organizational structure that incorporated the disparate levels of medical services provided by fire agencies and volunteers from Clark Fork to Priest Lake, into an effective county-wide EMS.

While commanding Priest Lake Search & Rescue (17 years) and serving as county commissioner (four years), I assisted BCEMS in developing its backcountry rescue capabilities. Bonner County EMS became a professional and highly skilled medical rescue asset for all of Bonner County, including the backcountry. They have the personnel, skills, knowledge, ability and equipment to successfully execute medical rescues under the harshest conditions, regardless of the location. These trained and dedicated employees save lives.

Turning back the clock by privatizing this valuable asset, and giving up operational and management control, would be a very poor management decision by the board of county commissioners. I fear the citizens and visitors of Bonner County would likely pay the ultimate price for such an unfortunate decision.

We must maintain countywide EMS under the auspices and direct operational control of Bonner County. I implore you to reconsider your options regarding Bonner County EMS.

My first recommendation is appointing a strong Bonner County EMS director and stay the course with Bonner County EMS as it currently exists to provide countywide service.

If you chose not to maintain EMS as a separate entity, then put it under the Sheriff, as the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office also provides countywide emergency services.

For the taxpayer funding it, EMS needs to report to an elected official (commission or sheriff) with countywide authority, responsibility, and accountability.

• Nielsen is a former Bonner County commissioner. This was submitted as an open letter to current county commissioners Steven Bradshaw, Jeff Connolly and Dan McDonald.