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Bannock County ambulance district asks commissioners to request one-year FEMA extension to use surplus AFG funds
Summary
Bannock County Ambulance District requested county authorization to ask FEMA for a one-year extension on an Assistance to Firefighters Grant so leftover funds — about $77,000 — can fund two additional paramedic students; commissioners approved the request and briefly entered the ambulance board.
Bannock County commissioners authorized the county ambulance district on Tuesday to submit a letter to FEMA asking for a one-year performance-period extension on an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) so the district can use leftover funds to train additional paramedic students.
Autumn Baker, operations lead for the Bannock County Ambulance District, told commissioners the district originally budgeted for an out-of-area training program but instead used a lower-cost program based at Madison (Rexburg area), producing an estimated savings of about $77,000. “When we submitted the grant, we had a quote for a much higher price point … and during the award period, [the] program opened at Madison Fire Department that was substantially less, and we just went that route. So we’ve had a savings of probably about $77,000 in that grant,” Baker said.
Baker said the current AFG performance period ends in August 2025. A new paramedic class begins in February 2025; students who start then would likely finish in June 2026 if the county receives a one-year extension. Baker said the district recently had one retirement and one promotion, and that adding two more paramedic-trained staff would help staffing and could support future coverage in McCammon.
A commissioner asked whether the district had been satisfied with the Madison-area program; Baker said she had received “great feedback” and that previous students had been certified and signed off by the district’s medical director, Dr. Sandy. Baker also introduced Dean Bullock as the ambulance district’s new assistant chief; Bullock was present to observe and be briefed on the board procedure.
Commissioners voted to enter the board of ambulance, approved the request to seek the FEMA extension, and then voted to exit the ambulance board. The motions were made by a commissioner and carried with the customary unanimous “aye” voice vote documented at the meeting.
The authorization allows district staff to submit the extension request to FEMA; the agency’s decision and any further county obligations or matching requirements were not decided at the meeting.
Commissioners offered a brief congratulation to the district on the training plans and the new assistant chief. The district said it will pursue the FEMA extension and return with any results or next steps as required.
