Emergency Support Function (ESF-6)

ESF-6 Roles 

In accordance with the State Emergency Operations Plan, the Louisiana Department of Health, ESF-6 has primary responsibility for 

• Coordinating with local, parish and tribal governments, state and federal entities, supporting agencies and non-governmental organizations to address non-medical mass care, emergency assistance, temporary housing and human services needs of disaster victims  
• Responsible for managing state Critical Transportation Needs Shelters, Medical Needs Shelters, Sex Offender Shelter, and Unaccompanied Minor Shelter while providing staff and resources (if available) to General Population Shelters upon request  
• Supporting implementation of Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)
• Supporting emergency repatriation 
• Shelter reunification

ESF-6 Strategic Goals

• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with local, state and federal stakeholders.
• In coordination with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the American Red Cross, and local Office of Emergency Preparedness directors continue to identify potential locations and resources to provide in-state shelter independence for citizens who will need government-sponsored assistance to evacuate the coastline of the state. 
• Improve / maintain staff readiness in ESF-6 responsibilities.
• Sustain / improve logistical readiness.
• Establish and develop a program within LDH to respond to Recovery Support Function missions stated in the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Framework.

Recovery Support Functions

The Recovery Support Functions (RSFs) comprise the coordinating structure for key functional areas of recovery/resilience assistance. Their purpose is to integrate interagency resources and support local governments by facilitating problem-solving, improving access to resources, and fostering coordination among parish, local, regional, tribal, and area partners; non-governmental partners; the private sector; and stakeholders. The RSFs, created within the State of Louisiana, bring together the core recovery capabilities of State departments and agencies and other Supporting Organizations, including those not active in emergency response, to focus on post-disaster recovery/resilience needs.

The RSFs are organized into six components. The RSFs will work to achieve those core capability targets within the range of their authorities, skills, resources, and context of the disaster.

Six components of RSFs

• Community Planning and Capacity Building
• Economic
• Health and Social Services
• Housing
• Infrastructure Systems
• Natural and Cultural Resources