Collaborating on Fire Prevention Messaging Delivered Big Results
In 2021 IDL partnered with Idaho Firewise to produce three short, 15 second videos and distribute the clips via gas-pump based video screens at 87 gas stations in Idaho. The videos focused on preventing human caused wildfires along the roadway corridor during prime summer vacation times and fire season. The results in 2021 were impressive, generating over 1.5 million impressions.
Building on this success, the collaboration was expanded for 2022 into markets including Salt Lake, Spokane, Boise, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls. The videos appeared on pump screens at 70 gas stations.
Geofencing, or location based marketing, was added to the lineup this summer to deliver the video public service announcements directly to smart devices in targeted areas.
From July 15 to September 30, 2022, the combined campaign resulted in nearly a million video impressions at gas pumps and another 362,000 from the geotargeted ads.
Overall, the 2022 campaign cost $29,208, or about 2.2 cents per impression.
Closed Burning Season Ended for Most of Idaho on Oct. 20, but Conditions Warranted Extending the Closure for Portions of Adams, Valley Counties to Oct. 31
“Closed fire season” which is otherwise known as the five months of the year that burn permits are legally required in Idaho ended Thursday, October 20, for most of the state. Burn permits are normally required May 10 through October 20 each year and are issued by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).
This year, due to continuing dry conditions coupled with higher-than-average daytime temperatures, fire managers extended closed fire season for the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association (SITPA) until 11:59 pm MT on Sunday, October 30.
SITPA's forest protection coverage includes a broad swath of Valley and Adams counties covering areas around Cascade and McCall, and stretching from the Little Salmon River to south of Smiths Ferry. The district provides fire protection on more than 530,000 acres.
Idaho law requires any person planning to burn outside city limits within Idaho, including crop residue burning, to obtain a state burn permit during the closed period.
“Extending the closed fire season in our area is crucial for preventing late-season, unwanted human caused wildfires,” said Rich Stiles, SITPA’s Deputy Fire Warden.
Safety Requires Seasonal Awareness
In the October edition of the IDL Safety Newsletter, team members were reminded that with hunting season opening, employees need to be especially cautious while conducting business on state and private lands. Orange baseball caps were recently added to the lineup of PPE available for staff and will be available very soon.
Given fall's reduced daylight hours, the newsletter reminded staff to use caution while driving. They were advised to slow down, clean their windshields/windows, top off fuel tanks, don studded tires, and equip vehicles with blankets, emergency food, water, and flashlights.
Since slips, trips and falls are responsible for most workplace injuries, IDL provides ice cleats to permanent employees who must traverse icy parking lots and sidewalks. Field staff also face slip, trip and fall risks in the woods, and were reminded to wear appropriate footwear and be aware of foot placement, fallen logs, and wet and slippery conditions.
Director Miller Joined Governor at Wallace Capital for a Day
On Thursday Director Miller joined Governor Little and State Controller Woolf at Idaho's Capital for a Day, Wallace. To a packed hall at the Elks Lodge, Director Miller explained the impacts Idaho's rapid grown has on endowment land movement. He also explained the new challenges IDL firefighters face as the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) expands.
IDL to Host "People's Choice Awards" at November All Staff Meeting
Late next month when IDL staff convene in Moscow for the All Staff Meeting, our new People's Choice Awards will recognize our teammates for their outstanding contributions.
This new award program is by employees, for employees. Our team members nominate and select their peers to receive these prestigious non-cash awards.
This award program does not replace our Employee of the Year program, but instead creates an additional opportunity to celebrate high achievers in the following seven categories:
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Coaching Champion Award - this team member functions as a coach in the workplace and goes the extra mile to help others grow personally and professionally.
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Living Our Values Award - this team member integrates IDL's values into everything that they do, and acts as a team anchor during uncertain times.
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Always Growing Award - this team member is always looking to grow in new ways, both professionally and personally.
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Team Player Award - this team member just holds the team together from their willingness to provide support to being an effective communicator to recognizing the contributions of others.
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Going Above and Beyond Award - this team member shows up early, leaves late, takes on extra assignments without fuss, and gives their all to every project.
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Customer Service Award - this team member has demonstrated exceptional skills in client communications and relations and delivers great customer service.
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All Smiles Award - this team member always has a smile and puts a smile on our face. Their consistently chipper nature is infectious and brightens the office.
IDL Teammates Clean Up Endowment Land Near Wendell
The Eastern Area - Jerome Office recently cleaned up endowment land near Wendell. A combination of shooting debris and general trash littered the land. IDL team members removed three pickup and trailer loads of garbage that included couches and 10 mattresses.
Attracting, Developing, and Retaining Millennial and GenZ Employees
At IDL's upcoming All Staff Meeting in Moscow, November 29 to December 1, the department will offer training to staff designed to bridge the generational gap between our graying workforce and new, Millennial and GenZ employees entering state employment.
Acclaimed researcher and speaker Kristen Scroggins of GenWHY Communications will help prepare IDL to adapt to the changing workforce. Her presentation will offer insights for recruiting and retaining future leaders, and developing the hard and soft skills new team members require to succeed in our agency.
IDL Helps Recreate Responsibly Idaho Distribute Content, Recruit New Members
Earlier this week IDL participated in Recreate Responsibly Idaho's (RRI) summer recap meeting. RRI is a consortium of state and federal agencies, along with Idaho based advocacy groups, that helps teach Idahoans and Gem State visitors the ins and outs of recreating responsibly.
While the Idaho Department of Commerce funds the group's paid marketing efforts, IDL provides support though content development, member recruitment and content distribution.
In June IDL launched the Recreate Responsibly Idaho newsletter, publishing 16 editions covering topics ranging from boating safety, invasive species, fire prevention, what to do during evacuations, and more. An archive of the newsletters is available online.
Over the summer, the newsletter's distribution list grew to exceed 900 subscribers, and more than 10,000 messages were delivered via email and SMS/text messaging using IDL's GovDelivery system. The overall open rate for the campaign was 32%. Content published in the newsletters dovetailed with information posted to the RRI website maintained by the Idaho Department of Commerce.
IDL also played an integral role in setting up and launching RRI's Facebook and Instagram social media pages, which were new this summer.
Over the past few months IDL recruited Idaho Firewise, Idaho Sportsmen, and the Idaho State ATV Association to join RRI. Earlier this week IDL also successfully recruited the Idaho Transportation Department to join the group. With the winter driving season approaching, we anticipate sharing ITD's expertise and advice on safe driving with those traveling for wintertime recreation.
One Team One Voice Webpage
Did you miss some important news? Are you curious about knowing what's happening across IDL? Our One Team, One Voice webpage contains an archive of IDL's newsletters covering:
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