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BEAR LAKE — After a boat capsized at Bear Lake, killing four people, emergency crews are reviewing how they respond to future emergency situations.
However, some are concerned that a couple of state laws could keep emergency responders from helping in the future.
Timing is everything during crucial search and rescue efforts, especially after the accident last week.
"Our first priority on emergency response on the lake is life and limb. And it doesn't really matter which entity is involved," Alan Eborn, an Idaho park ranger and Bear Lake County's Emergency Services director, said.
"We can respond to where the need is. Our county commissioners and our sheriff have given the blessing to that," Eborn said.
But when it comes to Rich County deputies, crossing the border into Idaho is not always that simple.
"I found out the hard way that there's no protection for us legally if we go into Idaho," Sheriff Dale Stacey commented.
Stacey is referring to a 16-year-old case. Stacey was pursuing a drunk driver into Idaho after the driver hit and paralyzed a man.
As first responders, we always have to be careful about what we're allowed to do and what we're not allowed to do.
–Alan Eborn, an Idaho park ranger and Bear Lake County's Emergency Services director
Soon after though, Rich County got slapped with a lawsuit.
There are hopes that the situation will eventually be resolved, but for now it is very difficult.
"My department's not going to go into Idaho and do law enforcement," Stacey said.
And there's another issue. Paramedics can only certify in one state. This means that if either side crosses over, it can only offer limited help.
"As first responders, we always have to be careful about what we're allowed to do and what we're not allowed to do," Eborn said.
Eborn said there are some efforts in the works to make all certifications valid within several Western states, but for now, that's how they have to operate.
Both sides said that neither of these issues crept up until June 1. But there are always concerns for the future.
The lake is 50 percent in Idaho and 50 percent in Utah, and the two states regularly work together.
