@IowaHSEM

Official account of Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management. We lead, coordinate & support homeland security & emergency management functions in Iowa.

 Windsor Heights, Iowa
homelandsecurity.iowa.gov
Joined March 2009
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The final sessions of the 2026 Iowa Homeland Security Conference are complete. Great speakers, prizes, food, and community! Thanks for coming, and safe travels home! #IHSC2026
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A Freeze Watch has been issued for much of central Iowa Saturday morning as low temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 20s to mid 30s. Take time now to protect any sensitive vegetation outside! #iawx
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Scenes from the morning session during Day 2️⃣ of the Iowa Homeland Security Conference. #IHSC2026
Conference attendees participate in the “Measles Destroyer” session.

ALT Conference attendees participate in the “Measles Destroyer” session.

Conference attendees listen to the “Family Assistance Center Planning” session.

ALT Conference attendees listen to the “Family Assistance Center Planning” session.

Adam Broughton presents at the conference.

ALT Adam Broughton presents at the conference.

Conference attendees listen to the “Recovery Through Partnership: The Clay County Housing Mission” session.

ALT Conference attendees listen to the “Recovery Through Partnership: The Clay County Housing Mission” session.

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At the conference? No problem! HSEM’s crisis response dog, Bogey, took a quick break to participate in the #shakeout earthquake drill. 🫡 🐕‍🦺
Bogey practices the #shakeout earthquake drill under a table at the conference.

ALT Bogey practices the #shakeout earthquake drill under a table at the conference.

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It's #Shakeout day! Join us today 10/15 at 10:15 AM to practice #earthquake safety! All you have to do: ☑️ Drop to your hands & knees ☑️ Cover your head & neck ☑️ Take cover by getting under a desk or table ☑️ Hold on to something sturdy More info: shakeout.org
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Day 1⃣ of the Iowa Homeland Security Conference is in the books. 📚 HSEM staff✅in attendees, Director Benson welcomed all, crisis response dogs accepted pets, & former @FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell offered practical strategies for building resilience. #IHSC2026
HSEM staff checks in attendees at the conference.

ALT HSEM staff checks in attendees at the conference.

Director Benson welcomes attendees to the conference.

ALT Director Benson welcomes attendees to the conference.

HSEM staffers Allie Bright and Steve Warren pet crisis response dog, Bogey.

ALT HSEM staffers Allie Bright and Steve Warren pet crisis response dog, Bogey.

Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks at the conference.

ALT Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks at the conference.

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Are you ready to #shakeout, Iowa? We are 1⃣ day away from the world's largest #earthquake drill. At 10:15 AM on 10/15, you can join more than a million people across the Central U.S. practicing earthquake safety. 👉 ShakeOut.org/centralus
What to do during an earthquake: Drop to the ground, cover your head and get under a sturdy desk or table for protection, and hold on! Learn more at shakeout.org

ALT What to do during an earthquake: Drop to the ground, cover your head and get under a sturdy desk or table for protection, and hold on! Learn more at shakeout.org

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📢 We are less than 24 hours away! 👏 The 2026 Homeland Security Conference kicks off tomorrow- Wed., Oct. 14, @ 1:00 PM. Check out this link for the conference agenda, speaker bios, session summaries, facility details, & other important info. homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/co… #IHSC2026
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⚠️ Be weather aware for severe weather 🌩️ this evening in #Iowa. Have multiple ways to get alerts. If your county is under a #thunderstorm warning, find shelter ASAP. Primary threats: ☑️ Large hail ☑️ Damaging wind Ready.iowa.gov #ReadyIA
Person tapping on thunderstorm weather alert on tablet. Storm Safety 1. Be weather aware 2. Have multiple ways to receive warnings 3. Make a plan and know where to take shelter 4. When thunder roars, go indoors!

ALT Person tapping on thunderstorm weather alert on tablet. Storm Safety 1. Be weather aware 2. Have multiple ways to receive warnings 3. Make a plan and know where to take shelter 4. When thunder roars, go indoors!

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It's #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth! 💻🔒 Don’t let hackers haunt you this October! Your password is your first line of defense. They should be 16+ characters, a mix of letters, numbers & symbols. Use a password manager to create & store strong passwords. Ready.iowa.gov/cybersecurity
Woman stressing out while looking at hacked laptop. Don't be caught in a cyber nightmare! Create a strong password to protect your accounts. Passwords should be unique to each account, at least 16 characters long, and a random jumble of letters, numbers, and symbols.

ALT Woman stressing out while looking at hacked laptop. Don't be caught in a cyber nightmare! Create a strong password to protect your accounts. Passwords should be unique to each account, at least 16 characters long, and a random jumble of letters, numbers, and symbols.

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🦌⚠️ Reminder: Oct-Dec is prime #deer mating & migrating season. Be alert during dawn & dusk when deer are most active! ✅ Reduce speed ✅ Increase following distance ✅ Sweep eye movements from ditch to ditch ✅ If a deer runs into your path, brake firmly & stay in your lane
Deer standing in the middle of the road from driver's perspective. Don't veer for deer.

ALT Deer standing in the middle of the road from driver's perspective. Don't veer for deer.

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It's #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth! 💻 🔒 Phishing attacks use emails, texts, & malicious websites that appear to be trusted organizations to obtain user personal information. Fight the phish & learn how to protect yourself! More info: Ready.iowa.gov/cybersecurity
Cartoon of lifeguard stand looming over cubicles with people working. Lifeguard in stand using megaphone says, "Don't click that email, Karen!"

ALT Cartoon of lifeguard stand looming over cubicles with people working. Lifeguard in stand using megaphone says, "Don't click that email, Karen!"

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It’s #FirePreventionWeek! 🔥 🚒 When there are working smoke alarms in your home, the risk of dying in a home fire is cut by 60%, according to the @NFPA. Install smoke alarms: ✅ On every level of the home ✅ Inside every bedroom ✅ Outside each sleeping area
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. For the best protection, interconnect all the smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound. Learn more at fpw.org.

ALT Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. For the best protection, interconnect all the smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound. Learn more at fpw.org.

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Gov. Reynolds issued a #disaster #proclamation for Pottawattamie County in response to severe storms that occurred on September 29, 2026, and continuing. More info: go.iowa.gov/U7j4
Gov. Reynolds signs a proclamation at her desk. Severe weather Sept. 29, 2026, and continuing Disaster Proclamation.

ALT Gov. Reynolds signs a proclamation at her desk. Severe weather Sept. 29, 2026, and continuing Disaster Proclamation.

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Bats don’t trick or treat. 🦇 🎃 But they can carry rabies. If you see a bat, enjoy the treat and admire from a distance. These important members of our ecosystem are wild animals who want to be left alone—for their safety and yours! More: hhs.iowa.gov/bats #BatsofIowa
Baseball bat and ball = This bat: OK to use for play. Wild bat flying = This bat: no way! Bats are animals that should never be picked up, played with or touched without gloves.

ALT Baseball bat and ball = This bat: OK to use for play. Wild bat flying = This bat: no way! Bats are animals that should never be picked up, played with or touched without gloves.

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It's #FirePreventionWeek. Let's CHARGE into fire safety. Use the charger that came w/ your device or one approved by the manufacturer. Using the wrong charger increases fire risk. Unplug the device when fully charged. It it's plugged in longer, it adds heat/stress on the battery.
Frayed charger cord. Cheap charger? Don't chance it. Small action, big impact.

ALT Frayed charger cord. Cheap charger? Don't chance it. Small action, big impact.

Mobile phone charged 100%. Fully charged? Time to unplug. Small action, big impact.

ALT Mobile phone charged 100%. Fully charged? Time to unplug. Small action, big impact.

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It's spooky season, but #firesafety doesn't have to be scary! Enjoy the season AND keep your family safe. 🎃 Keep decorations away from heaters/candles 🎃 Use flashlights or battery-operated candles 🎃 Never block escape routes nfpa.org/halloween #FirePreventionWeek
Jack-o-lantern with candles and batteries. Use flashlights or battery-operated candles for Halloween decorations. They are safer than candles and using them can prevent kids' costumes from catching on fire.

ALT Jack-o-lantern with candles and batteries. Use flashlights or battery-operated candles for Halloween decorations. They are safer than candles and using them can prevent kids' costumes from catching on fire.

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Are you ready to #shakeout, Iowa? Join us in the world's largest #earthquake drill on Oct. 15. Earthquakes don't shake Iowa often, but it's nice to have peace of mind that you know what to do if it does happen. Sign up: shakeout.org/centralus More info: Ready.Iowa.gov/earthquakes
Get ready to shakeout. October 15, 2006. Register: Shakeout.org

ALT Get ready to shakeout. October 15, 2006. Register: Shakeout.org

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Stay alert as you travel Iowa's roads this month. Fall #deer behavior, crop harvest, & peak travel times for commuters combine to hike risk of vehicle-deer collisions.🦌 ✅Reduce speed ✅ Increase following distance ✅Don't veer for deer ✅Sweep eye movements from ditch to ditch
Avoid Deer/Vehicle accidents -Most accidents happen near dawn or dusk from October to December during deer mating season. -Where there is one, there are more. They rarely travel alone. -See a deer? Don't swerve. Use your brakes firmly and honk your horn. -Stay extra alert around field and forest edges.

ALT Avoid Deer/Vehicle accidents -Most accidents happen near dawn or dusk from October to December during deer mating season. -Where there is one, there are more. They rarely travel alone. -See a deer? Don't swerve. Use your brakes firmly and honk your horn. -Stay extra alert around field and forest edges.

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Gov. Reynolds issued a #disaster #proclamation for Black Hawk County in response to severe storms that occurred on September 30, 2026, and continuing. More info: go.iowa.gov/gS3z
Gov. Reynolds signs proclamation at her desk. Severe Weather Sept. 30, 2026, and continuing Disaster Proclamation.

ALT Gov. Reynolds signs proclamation at her desk. Severe Weather Sept. 30, 2026, and continuing Disaster Proclamation.

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