Keeping informed
during disasters and critical incidents
One of the key tasks of Boundary County Disaster Services is to keep the public informed of critical incidents and major emergencies in the most expeditious manner possible and to ensure information provided is updated as often as possible to ensure that it is timely and accurate so as to avoid problems associated with rumor and misinformation.
The Disaster Services Public Information Officer works closely with area media during critical incidents, providing new information as it becomes available. Typically, an emergency information telephone line will be established and staffed to answer questions from the public; this number is released to the media for immediate dissemination.
In the event of a disaster or critical incident, it is imperative that the Sheriffs dispatch telephones remain free for emergency transmissions; please do not call the Sheriffs Office for general information during a major emergency or critical incident.
In the event that a critical incident requires evacuation of residences, every effort is made to make direct contact with those in the danger zone to alert them of the need to relocate. In events requiring evacuation, the Red Cross is called in to make arrangements for providing shelter and other necessary services.
Thanks to an agreement with Blue Sky Broadcasting, Boundary County Disaster Services has permission to interrupt regular programming on AM 1450, KBFI, to provide immediate emergency information and instructions. If power to the KBFI transmitter is disrupted, this information is relayed to the staff of KBFI's sister stations; FM 102.5 KIBR and FM 95.3 KPND. It is recommended that Boundary County residents acquire battery-operated radios and ensure that extra batteries are on hand; during heavy winter storms especially, it is not unusual to lose power for extended periods of time.
In addition, press releases are issued regularly to the three television stations in Spokane; KREM (Channel 2), KXLY (Channel 4) and KHQ (Channel 6). During more serious incidents, these stations often send crews to provide live coverage of events.
For up-to-date weather information, including weather warnings and watches, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts around the clock at a frequency of 162.5 megahertz. This broadcast requires a special radio equipped to receive this signal; these are available relatively inexpensively at Taft's in downtown Bonners Ferry. Many programmable scanners are also able to receive this signal. Local weekly and regional daily newspapers are also provided press releases on events relating to emergency or disaster information to allow more in-depth coverage.
In the event of a major disaster, a special link will be placed on the Boundary County home page to provide up-to-date information for those with Internet access.
SOURCES FOR BOUNDARY COUNTY EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Boundary County Public Information Office: (208) 267-7212
Radio
AM 1450, KBFI
FM 102.5, KIBR
FM 95.3, KPND
Television
KREM 2
KXLY 4
KHQ 6
Newspapers
Bonners Ferry Herald
Kootenai Valley Times
Bonner County Daily Bee
Coeur d'Alene Press
Spokesman Review
Internet