Pocatello council approves interagency agreement making city home of Region 6 hazardous‑materials team

Pocatello City Council on Thursday approved an interagency agreement with the State of Idaho Military Division that establishes the Pocatello Fire Department as Region 6 of Idaho’s hazardous substance emergency response teams and authorizes the mayor to sign related documents subject to legal review.

Council members heard from Fire Chief Ryan O’Hearn, who described the agreement as the state’s mechanism for organizing seven regional teams and said the contract allows Pocatello to sign subagreements to include other regional responders. “Not not currently in Region 6. However, that’s one of the things this agreement does outline is the ability to sign sub agreements, and we do hope to include other responders in the area in the Region 6 team,” O’Hearn said.

The council’s vote follows questions from members about the scope of the obligation, reimbursement and equipment. O’Hearn told the council the agreement indicates an obligation to respond to hazardous materials incidents within the region and, when authorized by the state, elsewhere in Idaho. He described a state reimbursement mechanism referenced in the meeting as a “deficiency warrant” process and said costs incurred after the state authorizes a response are reimbursable.

Council Member Nichols asked whether the team can respond to radiation incidents; O’Hearn replied, “We do. Yes.” The chief also said the state will provide equipment and that the city participates in grants and expects some state‑appropriated FY 2026 funding to purchase additional gear. He acknowledged there will be some department training costs that may not be fully reimbursed.

Council Member Mangum moved to approve the interagency agreement; Council Member Cheatham seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

The agreement establishes Pocatello as the Region 6 hazmat response hub and gives the city the ability to enter sub‑agreements to expand participation by other local departments. The council’s action authorizes the mayor to sign documents subject to review by the city attorney’s office.

The agenda packet referenced the interagency agreement between the State of Idaho Military Division and the Pocatello Fire Department; the council provided no statutory citation in the meeting materials but discussed the state reimbursement process called a deficiency warrant.