March 2019 | View as Webpage TOHSEP NEWS Terrebonne Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Operations Center Safe Room 101 Government St., Gray ‌ ‌

A new “safe room” is currently being constructed adjacent to the Joseph L. Waitz Emergency Operations Center in Gray to shelter up to 150 parish employees and first responders during hurricanes that may impact Terrebonne Parish. The safe room is constructed of steel and concrete and can withstand category 4 hurricane force winds. The building was designed to store emergency supplies and provide temporary office space for governmental agencies following a hurricane or any other emergency in which additional office space may be needed. The total cost of construction is $2.7 million and was 75% funded by a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant and a 25% match from the Terrebonne Parish Government. A smaller safe room is also being constructed on the east side of Terrebonne Parish in order to shelter first responders to facilitate emergency response on the east side of Terrebonne Parish during a hurricane. This safe room is also funded through a grant from FEMA with a 25% match from Terrebonne Parish at a total cost of $1.2 million. We are thankful that we now have adequate and safe sheltering capabilities for all essential parish employees and first responders that are asked to stay in the Parish to assist us before, during and after a hurricane event.

PRAT News

The Terrebonne Parish Rapid Assessment Team (PRAT) recently conducted training to stop a gas release from a 1-ton chlorine or sulfur dioxide cylinder.  These cylinders are 6 feet in length and contain 2000 pounds of liquid chemicals that, when accidently released from the cylinder, becomes a gas when exposed to air. The team trains for releases from these cylinders due to their usage at the Terrebonne Parish Pollution Control Division and the Terrebonne Consolidated Water Works District water plants.  The team has two Indian Springs Emergency B Kits which are designed to stop a release from any of the valves, fusible links or from a puncture of the side wall of the cylinder. The PRAT has a training device consisting of the “head” portion of a 1-ton cylinder which allows the hazmat technicians to exercise on a replica of a real cylinder. After the practical exercise the team conducted a brief after action review (AAR) to discuss how to apply the kits quickly and accurately. The team also reviewed facility response plans for Terrebonne Parish facilities that utilize 1-ton cylinders.

TOHSEP Supports La Dept of Health in Planning for Widespread Illnesses

T errebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (TOHSEP) regularly supports efforts by Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to plan for worst case scenarios involving outbreaks of illnesses. Whether it is naturally occurring illnesses like swine flu or intentional acts like the “white powder” letters following September 11, 2001, TOHSEP and LDH are constantly working together to make response plans and exercise those plans in order to keep Terrebonne Parish safe. One of the ways that the plans are exercised is to practice setting up Points of Distribution (PODS). In the event of widespread illness, PODS are designed to get medicine to as many people as possible when time is of the essence. In order to make the PODS run as efficiently as possible, it is vitally important that there are enough volunteers to fill all of the necessary positions that PODS require. One of the incentives to volunteer at PODS is that volunteers and their families will be amongst the first populations to receive lifesaving medication. If you would like the peace of mind of knowing that you and your family would be some of the first people to receive medication please call 985-873-6357 or email oep@tpcg.org to request to be added to the list of PODS Volunteers.

Driving Through a Hail Storm Stay inside the vehicle. Hail falls at fast speeds, and it can cause injury to those in its path. Stop driving and pull to a safe place so hail doesn't break the windshield or any windows — driving compounds hail's impact with your car. Stop under an overpass, and don't forget to pull out of traffic lanes and onto a shoulder. Avoid ditches due to possible high-rising water. Keep your car angled so the hail is hitting the front of your car. Windshields are reinforced to withstand forward driving and pelting objects. Side windows and backglass are not, so they're much more susceptible to breakage. Lie down, if possible, and keep your back to the windows. If you have a blanket, cover yourself with it to prevent possible debris from hitting you.

tohsep.com | oep@tpcg.org | (985) 873-6357