[StBernard] Building a better prepared Louisiana

[Westley Annis]

Building a better prepared Louisiana
A column by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco 

This hurricane season Louisiana once again chooses not to be afraid, but to be prepared. During the past few months, I have led leaders of state agencies in multiple hurricane exercises designed to test our emergency preparedness. With the 2007 hurricane season upon us, it is clear that Louisiana is better prepared than ever before.

Following the unprecedented devastation of the 2005 hurricanes, I issued an Executive Order calling for a new Louisiana Emergency Operations Plan. My goal was to transform the lessons learned during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita into a plan of action to keep our people safe during any emergency. Thanks to the leadership of my Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, members of my Administration and employees from all of our state agencies, Louisiana continues to develop innovative ways to keep our people safe.

One of the greatest lessons Katrina and Rita taught us is that effective communication is critical during an emergency. Strong winds, water surges, flooding and pouring rain can easily cripple any communication system. 

Because we cannot coordinate an effective response if we cannot communicate, we reinforced our communication capabilities by making significant investments in improved interoperability. A new Louisiana State Police communications network will be fully operational in areas most vulnerable to hurricanes. Louisiana's Rapidcom system can immediately enable us to use radios, satellites, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephones, wireless networks and the Internet at any site. Multiple new Mobile Command Posts offer instant communication centers critical to our emergency response efforts. 

We are using a new Web-based system to ensure real-time communication between all emergency branches at the state level. Louisiana is one of twelve states participating in the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) project through the federal Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management System (FEMA). Through this project, MyStateUSA is working with us to improve internal communication and develop new ways for citizens to receive emergency alerts by e-mail, text messaging and voicemail. 

Stronger emergency communication capabilities make up just one part of Louisiana's comprehensive approach to preparedness. Response teams composed of state and local personnel are ready for action. 

The Louisiana Department of Social Services is preparing for emergency sheltering, placing a special emphasis on citizens with medical special needs and critical transportation needs. Contracts are in place to provide transportation to citizens who need it during an evacuation and we are even preparing shelters and evacuation plans for pets.

Our improved emergency preparedness and response plans show remarkable progress. Nonetheless, all of us must remain alert and work together to protect lives and property. 

I urge you to review your family emergency plan and share your plan with loved ones - now. Make sure you know where to go during an emergency and prepare a disaster supply kit. Copies of the 2007 editions of the Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide are now available in communities especially vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms. I encourage you to download a copy of this guide, Contraflow maps and other information at http://www.gohsep.louisiana.gov/ <http://www.gohsep.louisiana.gov/> . Only together can we truly build a better prepared Louisiana.

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org