State Emergency Response Team (SERT)

The SERT is currently at Monitoring

View Current Situation Report (updated June 28, 2023)

Mission

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) is directed by Governor Executive Order to establish and maintain the Idaho Reponse Center for directing the coordination of emergency and disaster operations. IOEM has the following goals:

To prevent and reduce damage, injury, and loss of life and property resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, or hostile military or paramilitary action;
To prepare assistance for prompt and efficient search, rescue, care, and treatment of persons injured, victimized or threatened by disaster;
To provide for rapid and orderly restoration and rehabilitation of persons and property affected by disasters;
To authorize and encourage cooperation in disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery; and
To provide for coordination of activities relating to disaster response and recovery by all state agencies, political subdivisions, and interstate, federal-state and Canadian activities in which the state and its political subdivisions may participate.

The Idaho Emergency Operations Plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of state agencies to respond to and recover from disasters.

Photo of staff working in the IDEOC — SERT in Action

Idaho Emergency Operations Center command staff reviewing the activation schedule — SERT in Action

Activation Levels

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management’s (IOEM’s) steady-state monitoring level and State Emergency Response Team (SERT)/Idaho Response Center (IRC) activation levels are noted below. IOEM is at a monitoring level 24/7/365. There are four activation levels to communicate changes in state emergency management response activity. A change, up or down in activation level is an indicator that the number, size or complexity of an event, single incident or combination of incidents has changed. At any level of activation, the SERT will work to create a common operating picture among state, local and federal agencies and will keep partners and the public informed through publication of reports, the IOEM website, social media, and WebEOC. Regardless of the activation level, upon closure of the incident period, there will be a transition of SERT activities to IOEM Recovery staff.

In some circumstances, parts of the SERT may be activated without activating the IRC. Activation levels may be modified by activating to one level with the addition of components from a different level in order to address the event. These decisions are made by the IOEM Director in coordination with the State Emergency Response Team, as appropriate. Generally, activation levels encompass the elements of all preceding activation levels.

SERT Activation Level Definitions

Monitoring – IOEM

There is no large-scale emergency or disaster incident, and the likelihood of such an incident is low. The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and Idaho Response Center (IRC) are not activated. Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) and other SERT member agencies maintain normal operations and day-to-day activities. The designated Operations Section Chief is on call 24/7. Some local jurisdiction(s) may have declared a disaster, but no state declaration of emergency is in effect.

IOEM maintains situational awareness and monitors for incidents with the potential to require state assistance.
Situation Reports (SITREPS) are created each workday in coordination with the Joint Operations Center (JOC).
IOEM may receive Requests for Assistance (RFAs) and will coordinate with state agencies, as appropriate.

Level 3 – Enhanced Monitoring and Support

There is no large-scale emergency or disaster incident, but an incident is likely to occur or has occurred with impacts to only a small number of jurisdictions. The SERT and IRC are not activated. IOEM and other SERT member agencies maintain normal operations and staff day-to-day activities. In addition, specific Idaho Emergency Support Functions (ID-ESFs) provide coordination support to local and tribal jurisdictions with active incidents that require assistance, but this assistance is limited to support that does not incur costs to the state. No formal Mission Assignments (MAs) will be issued. The designated Operations Section Chief is on call 24/7. Some local jurisdiction(s) may have declared a disaster, but no state declaration of emergency is in effect.

IOEM staff maintain situational awareness and monitor for incidents with the potential to require state assistance.
SITREPs are created each workday in coordination with the JOC.
IOEM receives RFAs and coordinates with appropriate state agencies or ID-ESFs to provide support not requiring a formal MA.

Activation Triggers:

Tribal and/or local jurisdictions or neighboring states have issued RFAs outside the purview of IOEM and require support from specific ID-ESFs.

Level 2 – Elevated Activation

Multiple ongoing incidents or a large-scale (multi-jurisdictional or statewide) incident is likely to occur or has occurred. Select parts of the SERT, including some ID-ESFs, are activated based on incident demands. As needed, the IRC is activated. The SERT is providing coordinated support to local and/or tribal jurisdictions, state agencies, and/or neighboring states but is not overwhelmed by RFAs. Most of IOEM and some other SERT member agencies’ normal operations may be adjusted or suspended. Actual or potential impacts from the incident require a high amount of direct state assistance for response and recovery efforts. Outside support through mutual aid agreements or federal assistance may be needed to supplement the state response. There is the potential for activation of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Liaison Officer to the IRC and a Multiagency Coordination (MAC) group activation at state and/or inter-state level. Reservists may be used to supplement SERT staffing. The SERT’s activation is expected to last longer than one operational period (12 hours), and 24/7 operations may be established for high complexity incidents. Multiple local jurisdictions have declared, or anticipated to declare, an emergency or disaster, and a state proclamation of disaster emergency is in effect or is imminent.

The SERT maintains situational awareness through increased monitoring and communication among federal, state, tribal, and local government(s), including increased coordination between Area Field Officers (AFOs) and local jurisdictions.
SERT is receiving and processing multiple RFAs and assigning MAs to appropriate ID-ESFs.
The operational planning cycle, including development of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) process is initiated.
SITREPs are created based on operational tempo in coordination with the JOC.
Use of Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and other state mutual aid agreements to support SERT operations.
Preparations are being made for a Governor’s request for a Presidential Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration to the FEMA Region 10 Administrator or this action is already complete.
Potential activation of the Public Information Emergency Response (PIER) Team, Joint Information Center (JIC), and/or Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC).
Deployment of damage assessment and/or special teams is possible.

Activation Triggers:

When there are multiple ongoing incidents or a large-scale (multi-jurisdictional, statewide) incident has occurred.
Governor proclamation is made or is imminent.
The IOEM Director orders activation in preparation for a potential, or actual, large-scale incident based on the following:
- The number of anticipated or actual requests for assistance from local or tribal jurisdictions, state agencies, or neighboring states cannot be managed at IOEM’s monitoring or Level 3 operations.
- A state agency director requests an activation based on a developing, anticipated, or ongoing incident.

Level 1 – Full Activation

Multiple ongoing incidents or a large-scale (multi-jurisdictional or statewide) incident is likely to occur or has occurred that overwhelms the state’s ability to respond effectively without external assistance. The full SERT, including most ID-ESFs, is activated. As needed, the IRC is activated The SERT is providing coordinated support to local or tribal jurisdictions, state agencies, or neighboring states during a major incident or in response to a credible threat with large-scale potential impacts. Actual or potential effects on public health, welfare, and infrastructure is requiring an extreme amount of direct state and federal assistance for response and recovery efforts. The ability of the SERT to fulfill RFAs has been exceeded and assistance from the federal government and other states via mutual aid agreements is necessary. Multiple local jurisdictions have declared an emergency or disaster, and a state proclamation of disaster emergency is in effect. The Governor’s request for a Presidential Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration has been submitted to the FEMA Region 10 Administrator.

The SERT maintains situational awareness through increased monitoring and communication among local, tribal, state, and federal government(s), including increased coordination between AFOs and local jurisdictions.
SERT is receiving and processing multiple RFAs and assigning tasks to appropriate ID-ESFs.
The operational planning cycle, including development of the IAP process is initiated.
Establishment of a response Joint Field Office (JFO).
SITREPs are created based on operational tempo in coordination with the JFO.
Use of EMAC and other state mutual aid agreements to support SERT operations.
Activation of state/inter-state Multi-Agency Coordination Group(s).
Potential activation of the Public Information PIER Team, JIC, and/or BEOC.
Deployment of damage assessment and/or special teams is possible.
As appropriate, implement long-term recovery program activities, continuing through the activation levels.

Activation Trigger:

Operational period lasting longer than 24 hours.
An incident that overwhelms the state’s ability to respond effectively to a disaster without external assistance.
The IOEM Director orders activation in preparation for a potential, or actual, large-scale incident based on the following:
- The number RFAs from local or tribal jurisdictions, state agencies, or neighboring states cannot be managed by Level 2 operations.
The state has sent a Governor’s request for a Presidential Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration to the FEMA Region10 Administrator.