August 29, 2008 - Shreveport Fire Department Strategically Plans for Hurricane Gustav

Fire Department Gets Prepares

The Shreveport Fire Department has been taking the necessary steps to plan and prepare for the potential natural disaster that Hurricane Gustav could cause to our city and our state. The strategic planning utilizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) system of utilizing an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for every 24-hour operational period up to the event and after it. The strategic planning that has taken place addresses three phases that are anticipated if the Hurricane continues on its projected path. These events include:

1) Shelters

o Assisting with initiation and placing service in all shelters
o Fire Code inspection for all shelters up to and after occupation
o Emergency Medical Services for evacuees

2) Local Severe Weather

o Possibility of damaging weather
o Flash flooding to Shreveport and the surrounding communities

3) South Louisiana Hurricane Relief

o Hurricane relief Task Force deployment to South Louisiana
o Number of personnel and resources needed

Deployment of SFD personnel to South Louisiana will depend upon request through the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Baton Rouge and channeled through the local EOC at the Department of Emergency Preparedness in Bossier City. The EOC will be occupied 24/7 by SFD personnel when the need arises based on updated projections of the Hurricane.