Opinion ID: 2631211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: damage caused to griffin's building occurred during a declared state of emergency.

Text: Disaster is defined in the Disaster Preparedness Act as an occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or manmade cause, including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, windstorm, wave action, volcanic activity, explosion, riot, or hostile military or paramilitary action. I.C. § 46-1002(3). `Emergency' means occurrence or imminent threat of a disaster or condition threatening life or property which requires state emergency assistance to supplement local efforts to save lives and protect property or to avert or lessen the threat of a disaster. I.C. § 46-1002(4). In Baca v. State, 119 Idaho 782, 810 P.2d 720 (1991), this Court examined the immunity provision and ultimately found that it did apply to National Guard members who acted negligently while fighting a fire. Id. at 795, 810 P.2d at 733. The Court noted, Fire fighting is precisely the type of activity that I.C. § 46-1017 was intended to cover. As such, the statute provides immunity to those state agencies involved in disaster relief efforts. Id. at 784, 810 P.2d at 722. According to Fire Chief Tomberg, the fire was under control at approximately 6:49 a.m., but was not completely put out. Tomberg also testified that Dave Oglesbee, the Fire Marshall, was almost injured when a wall collapsed and a wash of bricks came right up against him and another fire fighter. The fire was not officially extinguished until March 5, 1994. Additionally, the Resolution specifically refers to the danger of water damage and smoke inhalation. These facts indicate that even though the fire was controlled on March 1, the ramifications of the fire were still considered threats to the people of Lewiston. Consequently, the district court decision finding that the demolition occurred during the emergency is affirmed.