COEUR D’ALENE — Kootenai County’s only helicopter used for rescue operations, arrests and traffic stops may soon be permanently grounded due to a hefty insurance requirement.
The helicopter, owned by the Kootenai County Regional Air Support Unit, a nonprofit that works with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, has been unable to fly since 2024 when the county learned it needed separate insurance coverage.
County Commissioner Leslie Duncan said the insurance cost is a significant increase from the county’s previous air support budget.
“It’s just the cost of the insurance because up until now, Kootenai County has only put about $10,000 towards air support,” Duncan said. “And the insurance came in, quite high – in the $50,000 range.”
The helicopter was purchased in 2023 with mostly donation dollars and continues to be paid for through donations. Since its acquisition, the aircraft has assisted in 140 calls and completed 14 successful search and rescue missions.
“It is a helpful tool in search and rescue,” Duncan said.
The grounding occurred when the county discovered it needed its own insurance policy, separate from the air support unit’s coverage.
“When you lease a car you are responsible for the insurance. So, since we are leasing the helicopter, we have to be responsible for the insurance,” Duncan explained.
Since the helicopter was grounded, the county has relied on other agencies, including Spokane County, when aerial support is needed. However, Duncan said having a local helicopter is much more advantageous.
“It’s more beneficial for us to have one here at Coeur d’Alene airport than Spokane, because oftentimes there would be a big delay getting Spokane’s helicopter,” Duncan said. “And if they were using it, then we wouldn’t be able to use it. And then operationally, they wouldn’t be able to stay on scene as long as our regional air support would.”
With the 2026 budget finalized and only $10,000 allocated for the air unit, county officials are turning to the community for help. The county needs to raise the additional $40,000 required to meet the insurance costs and return the helicopter to service.
County officials hope community donations will bridge the funding gap and allow the helicopter to resume its critical role in search and rescue operations, law enforcement activities and emergency response throughout Kootenai County.
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