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This week’s Photo of the Week shows husband and wife EMS team Craig and Dianna Shantz accepting Outstanding Services Awards from the Kalispel Tribe Fire Department for their idea that improved response times to the Kalispel Indian Reservation.
Craig, a firefighter-EMT and driver instructor, and Dianne, who is also a driver instructor and trained in first aid, are members of both the Kalispel Tribe Fire Department and South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue (SPOFR). The couple worked out a partnership between the two departments to have the tribe’s backup ambulance stationed at a SPOFR station near the reservation to quicken response times and provide better coverage to the south half of the county.
In 2020, the pair responded to 42 of the 53 calls on the reservation and the relocated ambulance responded to a total of 60 calls between the reservation and SPOFR, according to the Kalispel Tribe.
“Thank you for your dedicated service to the Kalispel Tribe Fire Department and our community,” tribe officials said in a statement.