[NAME OF EMERGENCY]
Need Immediate Help?
If you are in immediate danger, see fire or smoke, or need emergency medical help, call or text 911 right now. Do not wait for website updates.
Updates
[DELETE AND REPLACE WITH UPDATES. DON’T FORGET TO UPDATE BANNER/POP UP WINDOW.]
- Updates should be timestamped: “04/21/2026 12:00 PM”
- Updates should be in descending chronological order (newest to oldest).
- Updates should be easy to understand (bullet points, short, 3rd-grade reading level)
- Updates should provide actionable steps (evacuate, stay where you are, contact X)
- When appropriate, updates should include maps and images with links to larger images or maps
[DID YOU PAUSE SCHEDULED POSTS? ARE YOU UPDATING SOCIALS & NEXTDOOR?]
[DID YOU SEND ALERTS VIA ALERT SENSE & SHERIFF APP?]
Myth vs. Fact
[DELETE AND REPLACE WITH RUMOR CONTROL]
- Bold the fact (lead with facts, don’t promote the myths)
- Italicize the myth
- Add timestamp at bottom of each fact in case of changing information, and be clear when information changes
- Provide a short and clear explanation (3rd-grade reading level)
- Provide images, links, and sources when possible
Example:
Fact: Air drops are focusing on the northern ridge to protect buildings
Fire crews are actively using air tankers to establish a containment line. You will see heavy aircraft activity in this specific area throughout the afternoon.
Myth: This clarifies social media reports claiming that air suppression efforts have been suspended.
Last Updated: 5/09/2026 4:00 p.m.
OR
Rumor: Can vaccines give you COVID-19?
Fact: No. None of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so you cannot get the virus or the disease it causes from the vaccine.
Having symptoms like fever after you get a vaccine is normal and a sign your immune system is learning to fight the virus. Visit the CDC Coronavirus page to learn more about the facts behind COVID-19 vaccines.
Last updated February 17, 2021 | Source: FEMA, CDC
Resources
National Weather Service
Local Fire Districts
Arimo – 208-201-3590
Chubbuck – 208-237-3212
Downey – 208-897-5342
Fort Hall Fire – 208-478-3784
Inkom – 208-775-3372
Lava – 208-776-5366
McCammon – 208-254-3200
North Bannock Fire – 208-252-5048
Pocatello City – 208-234-6201
Pocatello Valley Fire – 208-221-3582
511 - ITD Road Report
USGS Idaho water conditions
Power Outages & Safety
Outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs
A public safety power shutoff, or PSPS, is when a power company temporarily shuts off power to an area with high wildfire risk due to extreme weather conditions. A PSPS can help keep our communities safe. The outage is an effort to prevent sparks that could start a fire if high winds blow debris into power lines or cause other damage. Below are links to helpful information regarding power outages and PSPS. Links are not maintained by Bannock County.
Report any power outages to your power provider.
Idaho Power
Current Public Safety Power Shutoff information
Rocky Mountain Power
Rocky Mountain Power Outage Map
Current Public Safety Power Shutoff information
Downed Power Lines
Stay away from downed power lines
When things fall (trees, tree branches, utility poles), power lines may have fallen too. Stay safe by following these steps:
- Always assume a downed line is energized.
- Stay at least 100 feet away and do not touch or go near anything that a wire is touching.
- Call 911.
- If someone touches a downed power line, do not touch or try to rescue them. You risk becoming a victim yourself. Call 911 immediately.
- Do not drive over downed power lines.
- If a power line falls across your car while you are inside:
- Stay inside the vehicle because attempting to leave could electrocute you.
- Drive the car away from the power line if possible; if not, stay put until help arrives.
- If you must exit the car due to fire or other life-threatening emergency:
- Position yourself, without touching the ground, so that you can JUMP clear of the vehicle.
- As you jump, fold your arms in front of you so you are not touching the vehicle and jump landing with both feet on the ground at the same time.
- After landing on the ground, shuffle at least 35 feet away, keeping both feet touching the ground at all times.
Using Generators
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always operate a generator outside at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Be sure to run your generator in a place where its exhaust can vent safely. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to death.
- Never plug your generator into an outlet and don’t connect a generator directly to your home’s main fuse box or circuit panel.
- To temporarily power an appliance, plug it directly into the generator.
- Use properly sized and grounded extension cords and keep cords hidden so they don’t present a tripping hazard.
- If installing a permanent standby generator, be sure to hire a licensed contractor or other qualified professional for installation.
Stay Connected
Get Local Emergency Alerts
Protecting Kids or Grandparents at Home
If you are away from work or running errands, you can still protect your family at home:
-
If they have a phone: Sign up their phone number using your home address. They will get a message if danger is near.
-
If they do NOT have a phone: Sign up your phone number using your home address. Then, ask a neighbor to be a “safety buddy” who can check on them if they need to leave quickly.
How it Works: It Looks at Your House, Not Your Body
This system only checks the address you type into the website. It does not track where you are standing.
If you go on vacation to another state, your phone will still ring if there is an emergency at your house.
What About Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)?
You do not need to sign up for these.
During a major crisis, the county can send an emergency text to every cell phone connected to a specific cell tower. If you are standing in the danger zone—even if you are just driving through or visiting—your phone will automatically loud-chirp with an alert.
Public Safety App
App Features
- Disaster and weather alerts
- Preparedness Guides for before, during, and after emergencies
- Toolkits and Action Plans for disasters
- Easy access to report damages from disasters
- Idaho Road Reports
- USGS Reports
- and more!
Google Play
Download the Bannock County Public Safety App for Android devices with Google Play.
App Store
Download the Bannock County Public Safety App for Apple devices in the App Store.
