PRE-ALERT NOTICE
To: Parish Emergency Preparedness Directors
Louisiana PSAP Directors
LA-TERT Members/Team Leaders
GOHSEP Staff
From: Tyrell T. Morris, LA-TERT State Coordinator
RE: LA-TERT on Pre-Alert as tropical weather enters the Gulf of Mexico
Date: Friday, August 21st, 2020
The National Weather Service is currently tracking two tropical weather systems that are expected to be in the Gulf region at the same time. The coastal states should begin to see the impacts of the storms starting early next week. 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. In the event a request for assistance is received, we will quickly notify members and attempt to meet the needs of the request. Team 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 come through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and be closely coordinated with local parishes and PSAPs. This is vital to ensure reimbursement.
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/.