Bonner County EMS

05/28/2026

Today marks the final shift for Kelvin Hunt, EMT-Advanced, as he retires from Bonner County EMS after 21 years of dedicated service and a lifetime spent helping others in their greatest moments of need.

Kelvin began his EMS career in June of 1986 as a volunteer EMT in Kootenai County. Through the years, he went on to serve full-time with several private EMS agencies in Kootenai County before joining Bonner County EMS in 2005.

Over the course of four decades in emergency medical services, Kelvin has cared for countless patients, mentored fellow providers, and answered the call day and night with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication. His impact on this community and the EMS profession cannot truly be measured.

Today, BCEMS Leadership thanks Kelvin for the sacrifices he and his family have made, for the lives he has touched, and for the legacy he leaves behind at BCEMS.

Please join us in congratulating Kelvin Hunt on his well-earned retirement and wishing him all the best in this next chapter.

Thank you for your service, Kelvin you will be greatly missed!

05/17/2026

BCEMS would like to wish all of our hardworking EMTs and Paramedics a very Happy EMS Week 2026!

We would also like to recognize and thank all of our partner agencies who assist us and serve our community each and every day. Your dedication, teamwork, and commitment do not go unnoticed.

We will continue to deliver on our mission:

To provide exceptional prehospital emergency medical care with compassion, professionalism, and clinical excellence — serving every patient, every time.

04/22/2026

We’re proud to share that Bonner County EMS is one of just five EMS agencies in Idaho to hold a Time Sensitive Emergency (TSE) designation at the ALS level.

In 2020, the Idaho Legislature approved updates to the administrative rules of the Idaho Time Sensitive Emergency (TSE) System Council, creating the TSE EMS Designation Program. This program recognizes EMS agencies that demonstrate excellence in patient care, ongoing quality improvement, and strong collaboration within the Idaho TSE System.

BCEMS earned this prestigious designation in 2023 and remains committed to upholding the highest standards in emergency medical services.

We will continue to deliver on our mission:
To provide exceptional prehospital emergency medical care with compassion, professionalism, and clinical excellence—serving every patient, every time.

04/13/2026

03/18/2026

**BCEMS Annual Skills Training**

Last week, Bonner County EMS held its annual skills training, bringing all team members together for hands-on learning and professional development. The training covered a wide range of critical topics, including ECG interpretation with Dr. Jenkins, childbirth, clinical management of trauma patients, IV medications and IV pump familiarization, and advanced trauma care techniques such as crash airway procedures, needle cricothyroidotomy, and needle decompression of a pneumothorax.

A big thank you to our partners at Life Flight Network for joining us and providing valuable training on patient advocacy and customer service. We also appreciate Kyle Wagner and Lucas Schell with Inland Northwest Heroes Foundation for providing a delicious lunch for everyone.

Annual skills training is just one of the many ways BCEMS continues to fulfill our mission: delivering exceptional prehospital emergency medical care with compassion, professionalism, and clinical excellence - serving every patient, every time.

03/11/2026

High winds are going to affect all of Bonner County begining later this evening and overnight. For those on home oxygen, please be prepared for power outages by having back-up O2 cylinders.
Stay safe!

03/10/2026

There has recently been false information circulating on various pages regarding the structure of Bonner County EMS. We would like to provide accurate information and clarify our legal status for the community.

The Bonner County Ambulance Service District was established in 2005 under Idaho Title 31-3908 (Ambulance District Authorized). After the District was formed, the elected County Commissioners at that time passed County Ordinance #456, which designated the newly formed District as Bonner County Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS).
Under Idaho Code 31-3908—the authority under which the Bonner County Ambulance Service District was created—the Bonner County Board of County Commissioners serves as the governing authority of the District.
Bonner County EMS is legally a taxing district with established district boundaries. We are a public entity created under Idaho law, not a private organization.
Our mission remains the same: To deliver exceptional prehospital emergency medical care with compassion, professionalism, and clinical excellence serving every patient, every time.
We encourage community members to rely on official sources for accurate information and to reach out with any questions.
Thank you for your continued support for all of your local EMS providers throughout Bonner County.

03/05/2026

10% increase in call volume over February 2025...

02/27/2026

Thank you Deputy Chief Brinkmeier for making this happen!

With the help of a Rotary District 5080 grant, our club purchased an AED for Ponderay's ice rink called The Pond.
The staff at The Pond recently received training from Bonner County EMS on how to use an AED.
An AED, or Automated External Defibrillator, is a portable device that can help save someone's life during sudden cardiac arrest. If necessary, it delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. Easy to use, it's crucial in emergencies when someone's heart stops beating.
Thank you City of Ponderay for allowing Ponderay Rotary to place another AED in the community. Thank you Bonner County EMS for the assistance with this worthwhile project!

North Idaho Ice