About Us

The Bureau of Homeland Security is part of the Military Division under the Office of the Governor. Bureau of Homeland Security employees are civilian emergency management specialists specifically trained to coordinate local, state and federal response and recovery disaster operations as a result of major emergencies and disasters. It is comprised of the following Sections:

    Executive Section
    Administration-Finance-Logistics Section
    Plans Section
    Operations Section

The Idaho Disaster Preparedness Act of 1975 Chapter 10, Title 46 of the Idaho Code created the Bureau of Disaster Services and subsequently, the Bureau of Homeland Security and provided for the creation of local organizations for disaster preparedness. According to the Act, it is the policy of the State of Idaho to plan and prepare for disasters and emergencies resulting from natural or man made causes, enemy attack, sabotage or other hostile action. The Adjutant General represents the Governor for the coordination of disaster services activities of all state agencies. The Bureau is tasked with preparing, maintaining and updating the State Disaster Plan, which must be based on the principle of "self-help" at each level of government. The bureau is required to:

Participate in the development and revision of local and intergovernmental disaster plans.
Promulgate standards and criteria for local and intergovernmental plans.
Periodically review local and intergovernmental plans.
Assist local governments and their disaster agencies to establish and operate training programs and programs of public information.
Plan and make arrangements for the availability and use of private facilities, services and property.
Prepare executive orders and proclamations for the Governor, as necessary and appropriate in coping with disasters.
Maintain a register of Search and Rescue organizations, units, teams, or individuals operating within the state.
Consider, on a continuing basis, those steps that could be taken to prevent or to reduce the harmful consequences of disasters.

Adjunct Emergency Communications

When disasters do occur, the Bureau is required to consider supplementing existing communication resources with other available resources into a comprehensive state or state and federal communication system. Amateur Radio Operators (or hams) play a vital role in supplementing communications across the state when major emergencies and disasters strike our communities. The Bureau administers the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) program for the State of Idaho. Each county is provided the opportunity to have a RACES program to supplement local communications. The Bureau also works closely with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) that sponsors the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Both amateur radio services provide invaluable adjunct emergency radio communications during major emergencies and disasters.