Turtles Fly Too

Lifestar Rural EMS Solutions is a nonprofit organization based in Garden Valley, ID, dedicated to providing free and affordable Fire Rescue and EMS training to rural agencies in southern Idaho. Operating exclusively with volunteers, the organization focuses on enhancing emergency medical services in remote areas while also offering specialized rescue services and support during mass casualty incidents. In addition to their training programs, Lifestar Rural EMS Solutions has launched a veteran program aimed at taking VA hospice and rehab patients on memorable trips within southwestern Idaho, all at no cost to the veterans and their families. The organization relies on donations and limited standby event fees to cover necessary operational expenses, including training equipment, fuel, and medical supplies. Generated from the website

Elmore County Sheriff is a full-service law enforcement agency that promotes public safety, safeguards citizens rights, and identifies and solves criminal cases. It undertakes various criminal cases and works with other state, local and federal agencies to ensure the safety of exchange of information between law enforcement officers and the public. Elmore County Sheriff issues auto releases and alarm and firearm permits, as well as maintains accident reports. In addition, it handles issues related to drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual offenses, noise checks, and traffic and speed law enforcement. Elmore County Sheriff, located in Mountain Home, Idaho, also has a communication center that responds to emergency and nonemergency law enforcement, fire and medical assistance calls.

TVT established and provided all of the public transportation service in the county until the 2000 census re-designated the Nampa/Caldwell area from a rural to small urbanized area. TVT as a result of this process, no longer had jurisdiction over the small urban area as it went under the Valley Regional Transit Authority. TVT was now able to devote all its resources to the eight counties in rural Idaho. The current Board of Directors consists of six volunteer members: a representative of the community; a representative from Canyon County; a representative from Ada County Highway Department ( ACHD ); a representative from the Canyon County Organization on Aging: a representative from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, who also represents 18 senior centers; and a representative from the developmentally disabled agencies. TVT will be expanding the Board to include representatives from Valley and Elmore Counties. Current Services: TVT is the rural transportation provider for the eight counties in the Idaho Transportation Department s ( ITD ) District 3. It is also a Medicaid provider, which comprises about 12% of its overall services. TVT provides transportation for the developmentally disabled in Canyon County along with individual Medicaid trips. It also operates Mountain Community Transit and McCall Transit service in Elmore and Valley Counties. TVT operates Snake River Transit in Payette County and Malhuer County, Oregon. TVT operates 21 vehicles with a staff of 37, including the drivers. The majority of the drivers is full-time and receives benefits. TVT provides over 102, 000 annual trips, or approximately 8, 400 trips per month, in its combined service area. Senior Centers: TVT is meeting with the 18 senior centers in the eight counties it serves. It loans vehicles to senior centers, which operate and schedule these vehicles directly. Discussions are underway for the senior centers to consider coordination alternatives that can enhance their current transportation programs. Canyon County: TVT is the primary Medicaid provider in the county and transports developmentally disabled clients to three workshops operated by Western Idaho Training Company. Five 20-passenger buses are dedicated to this service. In addition, TVT has a small contract with the Nampa Recreation Center to take students to school in the morning. Vision Statement: Treasure Valley Transit, Inc sees the future of the Southwest Idaho region as distinguished by growth. Growth creates the necessity for TVT to provide alternate transportation options. Treasure Valley Transit is well positioned to serve the population and to provide benefits in terms of the environment, the movement of people, and the general quality of life in the region. This will be accomplished with the leadership of TVT working with the community in transit planning efforts. Mission Statement: The mission of Treasure Valley Transit, Inc ( TVT ) is to provide a viable public transportation system where the need is great and access is limited. TVT began in 1992 as a private non-profit rural provider operating in Canyon and Owyhee Counties. At that time, the City of Nampa had a population of 28, 000 and there was no available public transportation. Treasure Valley Transit ( TVT ) is located in Nampa, Idaho. We are a rural transit provider for the eight counties in ITD District Three. TVT provides Dial-a-Ride and Medicaid transportation which is open to the general public under the same fare structure. Treasure Valley Transit also operates Mountain Public Transit and McCall Public Transit based in McCall Idaho; Mountain Home Community Transit serving Mountain Home and the Air Force Base; and Snake River Transit in Payette County as well as Ontario, Oregon.