Category: Press Releases

Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security news release
For Immediate Release
October 28, 2009
Contact: Lt. Col. Tim Marsano (208) 422‐5268

Wildfire Mitigation Grant Awarded to McCall Outdoor Science School

 

The University of Idaho’s McCall Outdoor Science School has been awarded $455,000 to reduce the risk from wildfire on the University of Idaho McCall Field Campus and Ponderosa State Park. Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security Director Col. Bill Shawver will present McCall Outdoor Science School Executive Director Dr. Steven Hollenhorst with a check during a presentation this Friday. The presentation will be at the McCall Outdoor Science School (near the entrance to Ponderosa State Park) on Friday, October 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

The Legislative Pre‐Disaster Mitigation (LPDM) funding is a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), passed through BHS to the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources. This award comes from the $600,000 earmark from Congressman Simpson for wildfire mitigation out of the 2008 PDM appropriation. The funding will be used to reduce fuels, manage vegetation, and protect 70 structures on 3,165 acres of the McCall Field Campus and Ponderosa State Park. This funding will also be used to educate Idaho residents how to protect their homes and properties from the risk of wildland fire.

“The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is pleased to be able to assist the University of Idaho in obtaining the Pre‐Disaster Mitigation grant funds,” said Col. Shawver. “Taking proactive action is the best way to reduce wildfire risk and these funds will not only reduce the risk in Valley County, but will educate Idahoans across the state how to reduce their risk”

 

# # #

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.

Lt. Col. Tim Marsano
Idaho National Guard / Idaho BHS
Public Affairs Officer
(208) 422-5268
DSN 422-5268

 

Original Release

For Immediate Release
October 5, 2009
Contact: Robert Feeley, (208) 422‐3033

Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security Presents Border Protection Grant to Boundary County

 

Boundary County has been awarded a grant in the amount of $229,008 to increase border protection capabilities in the northernmost county in Idaho. Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security Director Col. Bill Shawver will present Boundary County Commission Chair Ron Smith with a check following the Boundary County Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting this Wednesday. The ceremony will take place at the Boundary County Courthouse Commissioners Meeting Room in Bonners Ferry on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.

The 2009 Operation Stonegarden funding is a grant from the Federal Department of Homeland Security, passed through BHS to the County. The grant will be used to increase the operational capabilities of law enforcement agencies within U.S. Border States, and will provide resources, equipment and supplies to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

“The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is pleased to assist Boundary County in obtaining the Operation Stonegarden Grant,” said Col. Shawver. “Securing our state and nation is of vital importance,
and this grant will provide our law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to protect our international border.”

 

# # #

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.

 

Original Release

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.

 

# # #

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.

 

Original Release

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.

 

# # #

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.

 

Original Release