Kootenai County Search and Rescue team starting new drone program [Video]

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — The Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue Unit will be starting a new aerial drone program for search and rescue operations in the county.

The program is being funded thanks to a donation from the Women’s Gift Alliance, a group of women who help provide financial support to projects in the community.

Members of the search and rescue unit were awarded the $30,000 grant last week.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) said the program and equipment will add an extra resource for searchers and help the sheriff’s office find people who are lost in a more timely manner. 

KCSO said the unit currently relies on patrol assets for helping with searches, which the sheriff’s office says limits resources for patrol.

The sheriff’s office is looking to build the team with the current 75 volunteers of units. KCSO said the team is accepting applications to add team members …