Governor Jindal Addresses First Annual Parish Leadership Summit

Press Release

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal addressed the first annual Parish Leadership Summit for homeland security and emergency management. The summit -- hosted by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) -- includes parish presidents, sheriffs, Office of Emergency Preparedness Directors and other emergency management officials. Throughout the summit, attendees will learn techniques for improving communication, collaboration, and coordination during emergency situations, while also reviewing the best practices for command, control and crisis management operations from the perspectives of regional and national emergency response leaders.

The Governor emphasized his administration's continued efforts to improve the state's emergency response system and he highlighted several initiatives to support emergency officials as the state prepares for future emergency situations.

Governor Jindal said, "Louisiana is no stranger to emergency conditions and as we approach the five year anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, I'm very proud of what we have accomplished in making Louisiana a trendsetter in homeland security and emergency management. Over the last two years, our state has been challenged and tested in the shadows of 2005, as our citizens and the rest of the nation have watched Louisiana prepare, respond and excel as a champion in securing and protecting our state from all hazards.

"Today, many of our emergency officials are sought out by other states during emergency situations -- and just as Louisiana received supplies and support in the aftermath of storms, we have also reached out to help other states impacted by natural disasters.

To put on the summit, GOHSEP partnered with the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana National Guard, and the LSU Stephenson Disaster Management Institute. The theme of the summit is "Building a Championship Team." In addition to Governor Jindal, notable speakers for the summit include FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, FBI Special Agent David Welker and LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri.

GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper said, "We are proud to bring together the state's emergency leaders in an effort to build relationships and improve on best practices so Louisiana can stand out in the field of emergency management. Those emergency leaders who are in attendance are showing their commitment to the citizens of Louisiana and to the importance of their safety."

State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson said, "Partnership and communication are the vital keys to a successful emergency response throughout our state. As Louisiana is thrust into the spotlight more and more since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the significant improvement in communication and response has made Louisiana a leader in its ability to handle a crisis."

Adjutant General for Louisiana Army National Guard, Major General Bennett C. Landreneau said, "The summit will be a great opportunity to further enhance our emergency preparedness. Working together, we can maximize our capabilities to provide the best response to the citizens of Louisiana."

Improving Emergency Response
Governor Jindal noted that GOHSEP is establishing the nation's first Business Emergency Operations Center (B-EOC) that will have its own facility at LSU, while staying connected to the facilities at GOHSEP.

Governor Jindal said, "This new center will bring together representatives from business and industry that are critical to improving our state's resilience before, during, and after a disaster. The B-EOC will also improve communications to private sector businesses and industries during major emergencies, and ensure that we utilize Louisiana's businesses to help solve disaster issues in order to put money back into our economy, and to expedite bringing communities back online following major disasters."

The Governor said that in partnership with the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute at LSU, the state is finalizing plans for the Louisiana Command College for Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The Louisiana Command College's mission is to enhance the leadership and management skills for all of Louisiana's emergency management and homeland security professionals. Training seminars will begin by the start of this year's hurricane season.

Governor Jindal said, "The school will be the first-of-its-kind in the nation, training all disciplines together and today's summit is the first step toward that multi-disciplinary training and education that will enhance the expertise of emergency officials."

The Governor also highlighted important upgrades that will enable state and local officials to better communicate in times of emergency. By August, the state will have the largest state-local shared radio system in the country with over 55,000 users and 95 percent portable coverage. This means that during a disaster, first responders from North Louisiana will have interoperable communications in Southern Louisiana and vice versa.

Governor Jindal also announced that Louisiana will be the first state in the country to launch a public version of Google Earth Enterprise, allowing citizens to access important emergency management information.

The Governor also said the state will continue the "Get A Game Plan" campaign this coming hurricane season to keep citizens informed on how to best prepare for emergency situations.

Investments in Emergency Management
Governor Jindal noted that the current year budget includes $7 million in capital projects to expand shelter capacity within the state during a major disaster. The Governor said the state has already increased in-state sheltering capacity for the neediest citizens from 11,000 during Gustav to 24,000 today including new point-to-point sheltering agreements between parishes. Currently, GOHSEP is developing plans to keep all evacuees in Louisiana so families can remain together as well as be less reliant on other states during emergencies.

Governor Jindal also said GOHSEP worked with the Louisiana State Police to develop the Fusion Center which ensures Louisiana is constantly connected to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The state's Fusion Center also established the first cyber branch in the country with a focus on identifying, mitigating, and thwarting a cyber security attack on any of the state's critical infrastructure.

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