Novich Named Preparedness and Protection Branch Chief
The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) is pleased to announce Heidi Novich as the new Preparedness and Protection Branch Chief. Novich brings nearly two decades of leadership, institutional knowledge, and experience to the role, building on a career dedicated to strengthening Idaho’s emergency preparedness.
Novich has been with IOEM since 2007, serving in a range of capacities that have shaped the agency’s capabilities and programs. Her career at IOEM has included leading efforts in Community Preparedness, managing the Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Program, and most recently, serving as an Area Field Officer supporting local jurisdictions across the southwest and south-central regions of the state.
“Heidi has been a cornerstone of IOEM’s success for many years,” said IOEM Bureau Chief Ben Roeber. “Her depth of knowledge, commitment to collaboration, and experience make her well-suited to lead our Preparedness and Protection Branch. I am excited to work alongside her in this new capacity.”
Novich has also served various roles within the Idaho Response Center, led statewide Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) initiatives, and consistently taken on additional responsibilities that support both the agency’s internal operations and its coordination with local, state, and federal partners.
“I’m honored to take on this new role and continue working with the outstanding team at IOEM,” Novich said. “Idaho’s preparedness depends on strong partnerships, practical planning, and constant improvement and I’m excited to support those efforts in this role.”
The Preparedness and Protection Branch plays an important role in maintaining Idaho’s disaster readiness. The team is responsible for developing and updating state emergency plans, supporting coordination and resource sharing across all levels of government during any type of disaster. The branch oversees programs like the Hazard Mitigation and Critical Infrastructure programs, and Emergency Planning, and provides Geographic Information System (GIS) technical support, and WebEOC, the emergency coordination platform.
Novich assumes her new duties as Preparedness and Protection Branch Chief on July 7.