Idaho Emergency Operations Center

Mission:

The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (BHS) is directed by Governor Executive Order to establish and maintain the Idaho Emergency Operations Center for directing the coordination of emergency and disaster operations. BHS 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; 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

Activity Phases

The Bureau of Homeland Security (BHS) uses an Activity Phase scale to communicate changes in emergency management activity in the Idaho Emergency Operations Center (IDEOC). Activity phases are intended to reflect the response activity phases as opposed to the ongoing recovery of an emergency or disaster. A change, up or down, in Activity Phase is an indicator, for use by state and local emergency management personnel and department officials, that the number, size or complexity of a single incident or combination of incidents has changed. Any change in activity levels will be determined during the IDEOC Operational Period Planning cycle. This will be documented with the publication of that operational period’s Incident Action Plan (IAP). Regardless of the activity phase, upon the closure of the incident period, there will be a transition of IDEOC activities to BHS Recovery Section.

Normal Activity

All BHS staff including the Duty Officers are working on their day-to-day activities. There is no extraordinary activity statewide. The threat level is low with little or no commitment of state resources.

BHS Duty Officer, BHS Hazmat Duty Officer and BHS Area Field Officers (AFOs) are paged by the State Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) Communications Center and process calls coordinated with the IDEOC Manager, but no other BHS action required
BHS staff conducting business as usual

Activity Phase I: IDEOC Activated

Activity Phase I indicates that an incident has taken place and the IDEOC Manager has activated the IDEOC in a limited capacity – typically, Monday thru Friday 0700-1700 (not 24/7 at this time). Increased monitoring and communication between the state and local government(s) is occurring, the IAP planning process has been initiated, situational reports are generated and an operational period has been designated. A potential exists for a state disaster/emergency declaration.

Indicators or triggers may include but are not limited to the following:

Awareness of an incident(s)
- Environmental factors
- Incident threatens large population
- National threat level
- Special event
- Multiple ongoing events
- Locally declared disasters/emergencies/damage assessment
- Potential state declared disaster/emergency
- Disruption of Critical Infrastructure
- Other agencies at elevated preparedness levels
BHS command and general staff are provided situational awareness of the incident
BHS provides situational awareness to partners (state agencies, elected officials, etc.)
BHS provides situational awareness to FEMA Region X RRCC (Regional Response Coordination Center)
Minimal Emergency Support Function (ESF) participation anticipated
Request for assistance from non-governmental and private organization partners

BHS activities may include but are not limited to the following:

Establish an incident in WebEOC
Continue state agency critical functions
Selected staff assigned to IDEOC
Increased AFO Coordination
Damage assessment/special team deployment

Activity Phase II: IDEOC Continuous Operations within State Capability

Activity Phase II indicates that an incident has occurred requiring extended operations, 24/7 staffing of the IDEOC (typically two twelve hour shifts) and significant ESF activation. At this time a state disaster/emergency declaration is eminent.

Indicators or triggers may include but are not limited to the following:

Encompass all indicators in Activity Phase I
Multiple ongoing incidents or a large scale (statewide, regional, national) incident
Anticipated/potential event of significant consequence
Request for Assistance (RFA) to include activation of mutual aid agreements

BHS activities may include but are not limited to the following:

Encompass all BHS activities in Activity Phase I
Decision regarding continuing normal BHS functions
Activating the 24/7 personnel roster to staff IDEOC
Potential reassignment of AFOs to critical needs
Activation of the Joint Information Center (JIC)

Activity Phase III: IDEOC Continuous Operations beyond State Capability

Activity Phase III indicates that an incident has occurred that has overwhelmed the state’s ability to effectively respond without external assistance. The State is requesting assistance from the federal government and other states via mutual aid agreements. The state is preparing a Governor’s request for a Presidential Disaster or Emergency Declaration.

Indicators or triggers may include but are not limited to the following:

Encompass all indicators in Activity Phase I and II
State needs outside assistance to support all requests for assistance
Federal notifications issued with requests for assistance
Presidential Disaster Declaration is in process or declared
Significant failure of critical infrastructure
Designation of a Primary Federal Official (PFO)

BHS activities may include but are not limited to the following:

Encompass all BHS activities in Activity Phase I and II
Evaluate the need for Multiagency Coordination (MAC) Group
Establishment of Joint Field Office (JFO)
Implement administrative plans for recovery assistance programs