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BISMARCK, N.D. — Facing a similar trend experienced by dispatch centers across the country, the North Dakota Division of State Radio has taken an influx of 911 hang-up calls or misdials over the past year. As May ends, State Radio has had more than 1,600 hang-ups or misdials compared to about 440 at the same time last year – about four times more than average.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum has proclaimed April 24-28 as Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week in North Dakota. The annual event is an opportunity to keep the public informed and remind them of the potential risks of summer storms.

BISMARCK, N.D. (APRIL 10, 2023) – Gov. Doug Burgum today issued an executive order declaring a statewide emergency for spring flooding as soaring temperatures and heavy snowpack are expected to produce widespread flooding across the state this week and next week, especially in eastern North Dakota.

BISMARCK, N.D. (APRIL 4, 2023) – Gov. Doug Burgum today signed legislation that provides emergency grants to help cover extraordinary snow removal costs for local governments. The governor and other state leaders also highlighted how state agencies are collaborating with local entities and each other to prepare for and respond to this week’s major snowstorm and the high likelihood of spring flooding.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Representatives from multiple state agencies, including the Governor’s Office, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Department of Water Resources and North Dakota National Guard, began planning and collaboration efforts yesterday in anticipation of potential spring flooding after heavy snowfall and persistent cold has gripped the state over the fall and winter months.

BISMARCK, N.D. (MARCH 21, 2023) – Gov. Doug Burgum today issued an executive order declaring a statewide winter storm disaster for central, northwestern and northeastern North Dakota related to severe fog and ice buildup on power lines in January that knocked down electrical infrastructure and caused thousands of power outages.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) will host two webinars March 7 to outline processes for applying for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) and State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP).

BISMARCK, N.D. – Representatives from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) will virtually conduct an informational briefing tomorrow, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST, detailing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

Notification is hereby given to the public that Minnkota Power Cooperative (MPC) has requested funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a proposed bank stabilization project along the Missouri River.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Darin Anderson, who has served more than 15 years with the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) Department, today was appointed as the new director for the North Dakota Division of State Radio by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and North Dakota adjutant general. As State Radio director, Anderson will manage about 30 full-time employees and will direct the division’s daily operations. He begins his new assignment on Feb. 9, 2023.

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) now is taking applications for a grant program that bolsters state, tribal and local safety and efficiency in handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents. The funding, which is awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant Program, is available to local responders to augment their hazardous materials safety programs and better protect all North Dakotans.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Two employees from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) were honored yesterday for their innovative contributions to emergency management and dedication to serving North Dakotans.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Representatives from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) will virtually conduct an informational briefing Thursday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST, detailing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair and/or replace facilities damaged by a severe storm, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of June 7, 2021 through June 11, 2021.

BISMARCK, N.D. (JULY 14, 2022) – Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed news today that President Joe Biden has granted a presidential major disaster declaration for severe spring storms and subsequent flooding that broke precipitation records, knocked out power to more than 10,000 residents and caused more than $57 million in damage across the state.

BISMARCK, N.D. (JUNE 23, 2022) – Gov. Doug Burgum today requested a presidential major disaster declaration for severe spring storms and subsequent flooding that broke precipitation records, knocked out power to more than 10,000 residents and caused more than $57 million in damage across the state.

Notification is hereby given to the public that Steele County, North Dakota has requested funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a proposed flood mitigation project along Steele County Road 5.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recently was notified that FEMA has made available to the state about $1.3 million in federal funding though its 2022 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NGSP).

BISMARCK, N.D. — Lending an “eye in the sky” over areas encased in heavy snow in northwestern North Dakota, members of the North Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) have been capturing aerial imagery to support power restoration operations. Volunteers began flying missions Wednesday after being requested through the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services to assist with recovery from the weekend’s spring blizzard, which toppled power lines throughout the area leaving homes without electricity.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today met with local officials, residents and ranchers in Crosby and other parts of Divide County in far northwest North Dakota to survey infrastructure damage from last weekend’s severe spring storm and discuss how the state can help the area recover from widespread power outages.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today declared a statewide emergency for flooding and widespread utility infrastructure damage caused by a severe winter storm last weekend that has left thousands of North Dakotans without electricity. The governor also has declared a disaster for areas impacted by record snowfall during the historic blizzard April 12-14 based on local costs incurred for snow removal.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Representatives from several state agencies including the Governor’s Office, North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) and the Department of Emergency Services gathered today to review the framework for responding to a potential major cybersecurity incident.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (DES) director, today announced Darin Hanson will serve as the state’s director of Homeland Security. In that role, he will provide vision, leadership and direction to a Homeland Security team of about 60 employees.

BISMARCK, N.D. – FEMA has approved disaster assistance for McKenzie County.  The county was added to the disaster declaration approved by President Biden on Sept. 1 making aid available to eight counties for severe storms and flooding occurring from June 7-11, 2021.

BISMARCK, N.D. – A group of 15 firefighters from the Williston, Williston Rural, Bismarck Rural and Dickinson Fire Departments returned today after two weeks supporting Hurricane Ida recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast. Gov. Doug Burgum this month approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from the state of Louisiana, allowing North Dakota’s firefighters to assist with structural fire suppression missions there.

BISMARCK, N.D. – As families prepare to enjoy North Dakota’s outdoor destinations over the Labor Day weekend, residents and visitors are encouraged to recreate responsibly by practicing fire safety. While recent moisture has provided some relief from fire starts over the past few weeks, dry conditions still persist in many areas of the state with 100 percent of North Dakota experiencing severe drought conditions.

BISMARCK, N.D. – President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Doug Burgum’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for a series of storms in early June that caused overland flooding and produced damaging winds and hail, resulting in more than $2.3 million in damage to roads and other infrastructure. 

BISMARCK, N.D. – A group of North Dakota firefighters will be traveling to Louisiana this week to assist with recovery efforts from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ida. Gov. Doug Burgum has approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), allowing a 6-person team from the Bismarck Rural and Williston Fire Departments to deploy equipment and personnel for operations along the Gulf Coast.

BISMARCK, N.D. – As hot weather and dry conditions have provided ample fuels for an active wildfire season, the North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota Department of Emergency Services recently initiated a program to augment the state’s firefighting capabilities and resources.

According to data collected by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and North Dakota Forest Service, nearly 1,400 fires have scorched more than 100,000 acres across the state since January 2021.

BISMARCK, N.D. – After working together with Homeland Security officials from across the nation over the last 18 months, Darin Hanson, of Mandan, North Dakota, in January earned his master’s degree in Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). Hanson serves as the Critical Infrastructure and Program and security manager for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES).

Gov. Doug Burgum today declared a statewide wildfire emergency, enabling the North Dakota National Guard to deploy two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to help fight a Billings County wildfire that has prompted the evacuation of the city of Medora.

As extreme drought conditions continue to spread across North Dakota, Gov. Doug Burgum today placed the North Dakota National Guard on standby to provide help if additional resources are needed to respond to a growing number of wildfires.

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services today requested a temporary flight restriction from the Federal Aviation Administration as local, state and federal agencies work to contain a wildfire in the vicinity of Medora, North Dakota.

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services welcomed its newest team member in January through collaboration with North Dakota State University’s Department of Emergency Management. Marcus Rehder was recently hired to work for the agency as a planning specialist, while completing his bachelor’s degree in emergency management.

Gov. Doug Burgum today announced the completion of a new streamlined system that will provide a one-stop shop for energy industry producers, transporters and developers, as well as the public, to report hazardous material spills and releases.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health will continue to offer free mass screening events using rapid antigen tests this week at the Gateway Mall in Bismarck.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota Department of Emergency Services continue to support free mass screening events using rapid antigen tests this week at the Gateway Mall in Bismarck.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota Department of Emergency Services continue to support free mass screening events using rapid antigen tests this week at the Gateway Mall in Bismarck.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota Department of Emergency Services are supporting free mass screening events using rapid antigen tests this week at the Gateway Mall in Bismarck.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair and/or replace facilities damaged by flooding on June 29th-July 1st, 2020.

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said North Dakota’s public and nonpublic schools will be getting shipments of cloth masks soon to help inhibit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

A task force comprised of 17 firefighters from the Minot, Williston, Grand Forks and Fargo fire departments returned home yesterday after two weeks supporting the wildfire response in western Oregon. Gov. Doug Burgum last month approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from the state of Oregon, allowing North Dakota’s firefighters to assist with the wildfire suppression missions.

President Donald Trump has approved Gov. Doug Burgum’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for the impacts of a severe summer storm that caused flash flooding in several counties and resulted in more than $5 million in damage to roads and other infrastructure. 

Gov. Doug Burgum has approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from the state of Oregon for a firefighter task force to support the response to suppressing the deadly wildfires there. An EMAC is an emergency response mechanism that allows states to send personnel, equipment and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states.

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recently was notified that FEMA has made available $660 million in federal funding through two Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs: Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Representatives from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) will virtually conduct an informational briefing Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., detailing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement tonight after the White House announced that President Donald Trump has granted the governor’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for widespread spring flooding estimated to have caused roughly $40 million in damage to roads and other public infrastructure in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order tonight declaring a state of emergency in Fargo, West Fargo and Cass County and activating the North Dakota National Guard to help local authorities respond to unlawful activity and the risk to people and property due to civil disturbances.

The N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) was notified this week that its efforts to secure funding to build permanent flood protection around Fargo’s water treatment plant and pump station were approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today requested a presidential major disaster declaration for widespread spring flooding estimated to have caused more than $40 million in damage to roads and other public infrastructure in North Dakota. The request follows an executive order Burgum issued April 24 declaring a statewide flood emergency.

Representatives from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) this week conducted an informational briefing detailing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair and/or replace facilities damaged by flooding on October 9th-26th, 2019.

Gov. Doug Burgum and other state officials today provided an update and highlighted statewide efforts in response to COVID-19. No cases have been reported in North Dakota and the risk remains low; however, ongoing community spread has been identified in multiple other states. North Dakotans play a key role in reducing the impact of COVID-19 in the state.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Officials from nearly a dozen agencies, including the Governor’s Office, Department of Emergency Services (DES) and North Dakota National Guard, began planning efforts today in anticipation of spring flooding after a record wet fall that has produced high river flows and left soils saturated heading into freeze-up.

FARGO, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum this morning signed an executive order declaring a statewide flood emergency, paving the way for requests for federal assistance to help North Dakotans deal with significant flooding impacts caused by heavy fall rains and a historic October blizzard.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and other state officials will meet with local officials and community members on Monday, Oct. 21, in Fargo, Grand Forks and Jamestown and hold a townhall meeting in Fessenden to hear about the impacts of North Dakota’s unusually wet fall and last weekend’s record-breaking early snowstorm and to discuss the state’s response efforts.

BISMARCK – The extensive wet pattern in North Dakota, topped with an early snowstorm, is creating a great deal of anxiety for farmers and ranchers. The state is exploring all possible means of assistance and encouraging those in emotional distress to reach out for help, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Gov. Doug Burgum said today in a joint statement.

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s State Emergency Operations Plan has been activated and state agencies are closely monitoring this winter storm in case local response capabilities become overwhelmed, Gov. Doug Burgum said today.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), and Cody Schulz, North Dakota Homeland Security director, today led a conference call with emergency managers from across the state to determine if additional resources or capabilities are needed to respond to last weekend’s severe storms and heavy rainfall. The conversation also focused on determining the extent of damages experienced by the affected jurisdictions and the upcoming recovery process.

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recently was notified that FEMA has made available $410 million in federal funding through two Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs: Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM).

BISMARCK, N.D. – Representatives from more than 50 local, state and federal agencies today concluded a 3-day disaster response exercise sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) on Fraine Barracks in Bismarck. The exercise scenario, which included a hazardous chemical spill, was designed to test participants’ ability to collaborate with their counterparts in a multi-jurisdictional environment.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) this week received notification, after coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), that approximately $18 million in North Dakota hazard mitigation projects were selected for further review under the federal agency’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) programs for fiscal year 2018. Through the nationally competitive programs, communities can receive a 75 percent federal cost share to implement projects that will prevent damages from natural hazards.

In North Dakota, Mitigation Matters

Welcome to the Aprill issue of Mitigation Matters, a monthly newsletter for North Dakota's mitigation partners.

We are thankful to our mitigation partners who ensure the State of North Dakota is a national leader in mitigation and in emergency management. Your commitment to risk reduction is resulting in safer, more resilient communities.

Through this newsletter, we plan on sharing updates on our progress to achieve North Dakota’s mitigation strategy. We plan on keeping you apprised of available funding for mitigation projects; the impacts of natural and technological hazards and adversarial threats; and successful projects for your planning team to consider.

Darin Hanson, Critical Infrastructure Program and security manager for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), recently was accepted to the master’s degree program in Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS).