New generators to assist in emergencies

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Jul 9, 2009

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Ascension Parish officials are hoping that the installation of 20 emergency generators at key locations around the parish will aid in response efforts when a hurricane or dangerous storm hits the parish.

“We’re looking at maintaining the continuity of operations to make sure that government can continue to function in case of an emergency,” Rick Webre, director of the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said.

The generators are diesel powered, so as to avoid the problems of low natural gas pressure as experienced by some generator owners following Hurricane Gustav, Webre said.

The entire project is being funded by a Louisiana Recovery Grant of about $560,000.

Webre said his office saved money by purchasing 11 of the generators from the state. He said the surplus generators, many never used, were purchased by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources during Hurricane Gustav.

The installation is expected to be completed within the month.

Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez informed the Parish Council June 30 about the new electrical generators and the effects that installation work would have on the schedule at the parish government complex this week.

The Parish President’s Office on Railroad Street in Gonzales will be closed Friday, parish officials have said.

Martinez said that hopefully parish officials will not have to use the generators in the next few years, but will be ready if they do.

“I will tell you we will be a lot better-prepared for the next storm,” he said.

Fourteen parish departments and government agencies are receiving permanent, fixed generators.

Receiving generators this month are the Parish President’s Office and Finance Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Works maintenance facility, Health Unit, Prairieville Fire Department, Ascension Parish Jail, Donaldsonville City Hall, Sorrento Town Hall, Gonzales city maintenance facility, Fifth Ward Fire Station, Sorrento Fire Station and fire stations in Gonzales, St. Amant and Galvez.

Six mobile generators will be used at other parish offices, gas stations and fire department, Webre said. He said three of the mobile generators will be stored on the east bank of the parish and the other three will be stationed in the Donaldsonville area.