LA-TERT on PRE-Alert for Hurricane Ida
As Hurricane Ian intensifies and tracks to move into the Gulf of Mexico, members of the Louisiana Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (LA-TERT) are hereby placed in “Pre-Alert” status and should begin to consider their availability for possible deployment. Although Louisiana is not protected to be significantly impacted, it is likely that the emergency communication centers in Florida, Alabama and Georgia may request activation and support. Credentialed LA-TERT members should visit https://laapco.org/tert and view the pre-deployment checklist and familiarize themselves with the program guidelines.
***SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS*** Click here to review special recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for Emergency Communication Center (ECC) related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As a reminder, all requests for a LA-TERT deployment must be received and processed through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and be closely coordinated with local parishes and ECCs. This is vital to ensure reimbursement. Agencies in the impacted area requesting assistance must go through their local and state emergency management agency and submit a formal request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
Emergency Telecommunicators who wish to join the LA-TERT in anticipation of this storm should review the requirements and submit their application as soon as possible at https://laapco.org/tert.
The LA-TERT is a joint APCO/NENA program that provides trained personnel to emergency communication centers and their personnel in the event of a man-made or natural disaster. For more information on the national TERT program, visit https://www.njti-tert.org/.
About Orleans Parish Communications District (www.OPCDLA.gov)
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the public safety answering point (PSAP) for all emergency communications via 9-1-1 within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 180 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).