Category: Press Releases
Earthquake Awareness Month
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security News Release
For immediate release, Oct. 1, 2009
Contact: Lt. Col. Tim Marsano, (208) 422-5268
October is Earthquake Awareness Month
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter today proclaimed October as Earthquake Awareness Month. Through October, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security and the Idaho Geological Survey are working
together to educate Idahoans about the fact that dozens of earthquakes occur each year in Idaho, and there are simple things that can be done to prepare for them.
October 28 marks the 26th anniversary of the magnitude 6.9 Borah Peak Earthquake of 1983, and our state is among the most active states in terms of the number of earthquakes each year. Large,
damaging earthquakes are most likely in the mountainous regions of eastern and central Idaho, but all parts of Idaho are under at least a moderate threat.
To commemorate Earthquake Awareness Month, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security and Idaho Geological Survey developed the booklet “Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country, Your Handbook for Earthquakes in Idaho.” This booklet will be inserted into the Sunday, October 25th newspapers of Boise, Nampa/Caldwell, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls. Additional copies of this publication are available by emailing citizen.corps@bhs.idaho.gov.
“We know earthquakes happen in Idaho, and we also know how to reduce losses before one occurs,” said Col. Bill Shawver, Director of the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. “This campaign will encourage Idahoans to take those steps to protect their homes and families from the unpredictable earthquake.”
Due to the fact that earthquakes are difficult to predict, it is important for all Idahoans to have a disaster plan, a disaster supply kit, and to consider making their homes safer from earthquakes. Detailed earthquake preparedness information is available online by visiting Idaho BHS www.bhs.idaho.gov and IGS www.idahogeology.org.
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Note to reporters: The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is the State of Idaho’s emergency management agency. Please note that Idaho BHS is an Idaho-specific agency, and it is not the same thing as the federal Department of Homeland Security. Within the State of Idaho organizational chart, Idaho BHS is aligned under the State of Idaho Military Division.
Idaho Support to California Firefighting Efforts July 2, 2008
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security
News release
For Immediate Release, July 2, 2008
Contact: Lt. Col. Tim Marsano, office (208) 422‐5268 / cell (208) 407‐8838
Idaho support to California firefighting efforts
With more than 1,000 wildfires burning in California, that state has put out requests for assistance from other states and Idaho is answering the call.
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter today signed an emergency declaration, under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, that allows Idaho to respond to California’s call for assistance. The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is working with various Idaho agencies to administer the taskings.
There are two requests for assistance from Idaho:
- The Idaho Army National Guard has been tasked to send a UH‐60 BlackHawk helicopter with firefighting equipment and five Citizen Soldiers to fly and maintain it. The helicopter will fly to Mather Airport near Sacremento to be used as needed, and the request specifies that it and its crew will remain in California for 15 days.
- The Idaho Department of Lands has been tasked to provide 10 firefighting engines and a number of firefighters. The engines and crews will come from various fire departments around southern Idaho and will also remain in California for 15 days. The engines will be shipped to California on flatbed trucks; logistics are being worked out for that to take place.
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Note to reporters: The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is the State of Idaho’s emergency management agency. Please note that Idaho BHS is an Idaho‐specific agency, and it is not the same thing as the federal Department of Homeland Security. Within the State of Idaho organizational chart, Idaho BHS is aligned under the State of Idaho Military Division.