After a storm it can take up to 72 hours or more for emergency assistance to arrive. This is why it is crucial for Louisiana residents to prepare for Hurricane season from small details liken having a first aid kit, to larger ones like a family evacuation plan. Resources on Family plans and a list of supplies can be found on GetAGamePlan.org
If you are a citizen looking for an opportunity to provide assistance during times of natural disaster Volunteer Louisiana can use your help. In times of emergency, Louisiana relies on volunteers to assist with response and recovery. However, it is vital that volunteers not self-deploy. The best practice is to affiliate yourself with a disaster response organization now, before an event, so you can become part of the coordinated response effort when needed. Louisianans can find up-to-date information about disaster-specific volunteer opportunities by following the Volunteer Louisiana Facebook page or visiting VolunteerLouisiana.gov.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser speaks on the importance of volunteers in Louisiana saying, “One of the most important assets we have in Louisiana is our people and their willingness to pitch in and help their neighbors in a time of crisis. It truly says a lot about the Louisiana spirit. Through Volunteer Louisiana, we want to help people get prepared and get connected.”
Volunteer Louisiana, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP), also supports Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training throughout the state to educate volunteers in disaster readiness to prepare for hazards that may affect their areas. Basic CERT trains individuals in disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations so volunteers can assist first responders and/or care for themselves and others during a disaster-related event.
Since 2019, Volunteer Louisiana has helped train and develop CERT teams across the state. These teams are often the first to respond after disasters, working with local emergency management officials to address urgent needs. Volunteer Louisiana also works with non-profit organizations to post updated volunteer opportunities in impacted communities. To get involved, visit the Volunteer Louisiana CERT webpage for a listing of any upcoming trainings and contact information for CERT teams around the state.
To learn more about the AmeriCorps State programs or for more information on Volunteer Louisiana, visit VolunteerLouisiana.gov.
