POST FALLS, IDAHO — On Monday, November 20, 2023, the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Board of Commissions met for its regular business meeting at its newly remodeled training facility on Seltice Way in Post Falls.
There were several items of interest to the community, with the dedication of the new burn building taking the spotlight.
Chief Chris Way spoke briefly before retired Deputy Chief Rick Clutter addressed the group that gathered to witness the dedication. Despite being uncomfortable with the attention, Clutter was humbled and appreciative that the fire district chose to name the training burn building in his honor. Clutter devoted 32 years of service to the fire district, and he thanked his fellow firefighters for their dedication and commitment, noting that the men made each other better over the years.
From left to right: Mitchell Copstead, Todd English, Chief Archer, Chief Way, retired Deputy Chief Rick Clutter, Ken Bookamer, Chief Ryan, Chief Holley, Chief Lawler, Cody Blair, Sam LaPresta 
Chief Chris Way speaks to the group who attended the dedication of the new burn building to retired Deputy Chief Rick Clutter on November 20, 2023. 
Plaque on the side of the burn building dedicated to retired Deputy Chief Rick Clutter on November 20, 2023
When the meeting resumed, Commissioners Shawn Smidt, Michael Hunt, Pam Houser, and Keith Hutcheson dealt with multiple agenda items, including a distribution of Narcan grant, the creation of a Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) Team, and purchases with funds from an estate gift.
The fire district was awarded a reimbursable grant from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to become one of the few distribution centers for Narcan in the state. A new state law now requires entities like fire districts to manage the distribution of Narcan, whereas previously the distribution was handled directly by health districts. The $1.5 million grant has a goal of distributing 30,000 kits annually. Kits can be distributed only to agencies like law enforcement, health districts, hospitals, fire districts, and clinics. Individuals will not be able to access Narcan directly for any purpose.
Commissioner Hutcheson noted that Kootenai County, like other communities across the state and country, are dealing with an epidemic of opioid overdoses. “It’s not just users that are benefitting,” stated Hutcheson when discussing the need for Narcan extends to first responders and medical professionals who come into contact with fentanyl and other narcotics.
The contract which governs the structure of the reimbursable grant states that it is renewable annually for up to four years and has a 30-day “out clause” if the board decides the program becomes incompatible with the primary mission of the fire district. The commissioners unanimously approved the administration to proceed with finalizing the contract. The operations of the Narcan distribution will be budget neutral, with the grant provided for all expenses associated with the program, including personnel salaries, travel, phone service, and storage space.
The discussion of creating a REMS team was made possible by revenue coming into the fire district from services provided to the state during last summer’s fire season. When the district responds in a mutual aid situation outside its district boundaries, its equipment and personnel are effectively leased to the other entity, in this case the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire district billed the state for fuel expenses, lease of equipment, and personnel hours. The revenue is enough to pay for the creation of a REMS team, and the commissioners unanimously approved expenditures up to $125,000, conditioned on the receipt of payment from the state.
A REMS team consists of four men, specialized equipment, and vehicles that are deployed to large scale fires. They are specifically reserved as support for firefighters on the front lines and are equipped with specialized tools and equipment for difficult rescues in places like cliffs, ravines, and extraction situations.
Finally, the fire district was bequeathed a portion of an estate belonging to a woman from Post Falls. The generous gift was $47,500, and the commissioners unanimously approved the purchase requests from Chief Way to best utilize the unexpected monies. The woman’s family has been in touch with the administrative staff and approved of the requests, which are in line with her wishes that the funds be used for equipment and enhancing response, including:
- $12,000 for a combination extrication tool (as part of new REMS team).
- $20,300 for BARB, an electronic run card program that provides up to the minute run assignments (this will replace a current software system).
- $2,700 for Basic Life Support medical bags for spare apparatus and brush trucks.
- $2,500 for two Automated External Defibrillators.
- $4,000 for SKED rescue device (as part of new REMS team).
- $3,500 for folding titanium litter (as part of new REMS team).
- $1,500 for wheel/movement package for litter (as part of new REMS team).
- $1,000 for hand tools (as part of new REMS team).
The commissioners requested Chief Way send the next of kin a heartfelt message of gratitude for their family’s generosity with a picture of the equipment their gift provided for the fire district.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Joe Doellefeld Training Center on Seltice Way in Post Falls.
