10/08/2026
🚨 AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC INFORMATION REMINDER FROM SOUTH BOUNDARY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 🚨
We feel it is important to address an issue that has become increasingly concerning to us.
There are social media pages in our community that describe themselves as sources of public safety information. While some of these pages can be helpful when sharing information about road closures, traffic hazards, or situations affecting the general public, they are not official sources of emergency information.
These pages are generally operated by private citizens who are listening to radio traffic and interpreting what they hear. They do not have access to the complete picture of an incident, patient information, medical updates, or verified information from the responders actually on scene.
Unfortunately, we have repeatedly seen false and unverified information posted about emergency incidents, including inaccurate information regarding the condition of patients. This is not a one-time mistake or an isolated misunderstanding.
Concerns about the accuracy of information being posted have been raised directly with those responsible, yet the problem has continued. Even more concerning is the lack of accountability when inaccurate information is pointed out directly with the poster. In some instances, mistakes have not been acknowledged, corrections have not been made, and no responsibility has been taken.
There is a very real human cost to this.
When an unverified post says that someone has died, is seriously injured, or is otherwise in a particular condition, real people see those posts. Families see them. Friends see them. Loved ones may learn information about an incident through social media before they have had an opportunity to hear from the appropriate authorities.
Imagine seeing a Facebook post announcing that your loved one has died while you are sitting at home waiting for information, only to later discover that the information was wrong.
That is not harmless. It is not “just what I heard on the scanner.” And being first to post is not more important than being right.
We understand the desire to keep our community informed. We appreciate people who want to help others avoid hazards and know what is happening in their community. But there is a significant difference between sharing a verified road closure and publicly declaring the medical condition. or death, of a person based on an interpretation of incomplete radio traffic.
For accurate information regarding an emergency incident, please rely on the responding agency, the Sheriff’s Office, or the Idaho State Police. These are the agencies responsible for responding to incidents and, when appropriate, providing verified information to the public.
We strongly encourage everyone to think before sharing, verify before believing, and remember that there are real people and real families behind every emergency call.
Accuracy, accountability, and compassion must come before being first to post. ❤️
