News

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. – 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. – 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. – 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).