The right information to the right people at the right time – that’s what the Idaho Public Information Emergency Response (PIER) Team works toward every day. Last week, PIER Team members met at Gowen Field in Boise for their quarterly meeting, coming together to build the connections that make clear communication possible during emergencies.

While recent meetings focused on crisis communication training and emergency exercises, this one was different. It gave team members a chance to get to know each other in a more relaxed setting. In emergency management, there’s a saying – you don’t want to meet someone for the first time at a disaster. This meeting put that idea into action by helping PIER Team members learn the face behind the name and build trust before a crisis hits.

Attendees heard from Maj. Gen. Timothy Donnellan, the Adjutant General of the Idaho Military Division (IMD) and Lt. Col. Chris Borders, Public Affairs Officer for the Idaho National Guard. Both highlighted the importance of teamwork and communication ahead of emergencies. Borders also shared a brief history of Gowen Field and offered insight into how IMD operates, including the various programs and teams it houses.

After the meeting, the group toured Gowen Field and got a close-up look at military equipment like the A-10 Thunderbolt II, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Black Hawk helicopter, and M1 Abrams tank. The tour offered a behind-the-scenes view of the tools that may be used in large-scale emergency responses and sparked conversations that help agencies work better together.

Participants included public information officers and communicators from the Department of Health and Welfare, Department of Labor, Department of Fish and Game, Department of Agriculture, local public health districts, the Ada County Highway District, Bannock County, and more.

Under Idaho Executive Order 2022-04, the PIER Team is made up of representatives from each state agency. The team exists to provide the right information to the right people at the right time during a State Disaster Declaration or major events. The group supports the IRC in public information efforts and assists local jurisdictions or state agencies in collecting, verifying, and disseminating important information to the public.

The PIER Team meets quarterly for group updates, training, and workshops.

For those interested in learning more about the Idaho PIER Team or attending an upcoming meeting, please contact Tristan Lewis at tlewis@imd.idaho.gov.