About Us
Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System (KCEMSS)
KCEMSS is a local government county-wide ambulance service providing 9-1-1 emergency care and facility to facility transfers throughout Kootenai County. We operate through a network of agencies including all the fire departments within Kootenai County and one non-profit ambulance organization.
We also offer Critical Care Transport services to the hospitals within Kootenai County as well as hospitals in the surrounding counties of North Idaho.
Through our contracts with the Fire Departments and 1 Non-Profit Ambulance service within Kootenai County, we are able to strategically place EMT's and Paramedics throughout the county for the quickest response times possible.
All EMTs and Paramedics in the field are employees of the Fire Departments throughout Kootenai County, with the exception of Harrison Community Ambulance. KCEMSS provides the Fire Departments with ambulances, medical equipment, medical supplies and medical oversight necessary to provide EMS services. Harrison Community Ambulance, a not-for-profit volunteer ambulance service, operates independent of KCEMSS, but receives financial support from KCEMSS.
Kootenai County EMS's inception and success can be credited to all the contracting agencies involved who came together to form this organization, and who are committed to giving the residents and visitors of Kootenai County the best and most cost effective emergency medical services possible.
Contracting Agencies
The contracting agencies within this EMS System are as follows, linked below on agency name:
Transporting Agencies:
- Coeur d'Alene Fire Department - Operating 2 full time & 1 part time ambulance
- Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Operating 2 full time ambulances
- Northern Lakes Fire Protection District - Operating 2 full time ambulances
- Spirit Lake Fire Protection District - Operating 1 full time ambulance
- Timberlake Fire Protection District - Operating 1 full time ambulance
- Worley Fire Protection District - Operating 1 full time ambulance
- East Side Fire Protection District - Operating 1 part time ambulance
KCEMSS Affiliated Agencies:
- Harrison Community Ambulance Association - Providing service to Harrison and the southeast section of Kootenai County
- Silver Valley Fire & Rescue - Provides services to the eastern section of Kootenai County
QRUs or Quick Response Units:
Quick Response Units in many cases, especially in rural areas, can be on scene much faster than an ambulance. Many of these responders are volunteers and respond in the same area they reside. This - in many cases - can be the difference between life and death. If you would like information on becoming a volunteer in your area, please contact your local fire department.