EBR Parish model for preparation

• By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Oct 20, 2009 - Page: 4B

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East Baton Rouge Parish has several programs that national emergency preparedness officials say they believe might work well elsewhere.

The programs include the “Red Stick Ready” campaign, a year-long public education and broadcast program. It gives information, tips and resources helpful in preparing for and responding to emergency situations such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, pandemics and chemical spills.

“I want to take Baton Rouge nationwide as far as their methodology (toward disaster preparation) and the way they do things,” said James D. Weed, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the National League of Cities in Washington.

Weed and other officials from his agency toured the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, or MOHSEP, on Harding Boulevard. They stepped onboard the Mobile Command Center, used as a satellite office, and rode a set of state-of-the-art T-3 Segways.

Officials met with Mayor-President Kip Holden to discuss plans and strategies and how to bring the Baton Rouge model to other communities, Weed said.

Holden said cooperation and working together played a key role in pulling numerous governmental, law enforcement, medical, utility and other agencies together during disasters.

“You cannot have fear. You have to summon up courage within you and say, ‘I have to do this,’ ” he said.

Monday’s visit was the first of many that National League of Cities Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials will make here to learn more about the area’s best practices for handling and coordinating disaster and emergency operations.

East Baton Rouge is one of only two local programs in the United States to achieve national certification from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, said JoAnne Moreau, director of MOHSEP. All of the area’s first responder agencies also have received the highest national rankings, she said.

Moreau said the National League of Cities officials are also interested in the partnership between the MOHSEP and the media, including regularly scheduled briefings. “They are really surprised by the media’s involvement in that,” she said.

Other areas the National League of Cities officials viewed as strengths in Baton Rouge are its elected official leadership, community cooperation, 24/7 technical assistance, and up-to-date emergency plans and procedures.