Office of the Surgeon General - Emergency Preparedness

Louisiana is particularly vulnerable to both natural and human-made disasters, including hurricanes, flooding, and large-scale incidents such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Events of this magnitude can significantly strain healthcare infrastructure, creating the need for rapid deployment of additional state and federal resources.

The Louisiana Emergency Preparedness and Response Network was established through the collaboration of key partners under the Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8). 

This multi-agency coalition works collaboratively to develop, implement, and manage the ESF-8 Public Health and Medical Response plans before, during, and after a declared emergency.

Local Partners

Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8)

ESF-8 integrates the capabilities of governmental and select private sector entities into a cohesive organizational framework to ensure a coordinated response to public health and medical emergencies. This structure is designed to provide the resources, coordination, and support necessary to:

  • Save lives
  • Protect property and the environment
  • Assess public health/medical needs
  • Restore essential services and critical infrastructure
  • Assist communities and individuals in returning to normal operations following major incidents
  • Operate medical needs shelters
  • Coordinate patient movement
  • Manage surge ambulances
  • Coordinate mass fatality responses
  • Conduct mosquito abatement

Emergency Preparedness Section

The Emergency Preparedness Section serves as the lead entity for coordinating disaster response efforts within LDH and with external agencies. It ensures a unified response across all LDH offices and acts as the primary liaison with representatives from 16 state agencies during multi-agency emergency operations.

This section oversees the ESF-8 Portal, a secure, web-enabled platform that supports preparedness, response, and recovery activities. The portal facilitates real-time data collection and information sharing among over 5,000 licensed medical facilities statewide.

ESF-8 Portal Training Schedule*

*This schedule is tentative. If you are interested in participating in trainings, please reach out to ESF8Help@la.gov. 

August Documents Portal / Messaging
September Portal Feedback
October Security Management
November Portal Feedback
December MSTAT
January Portal Feedback
February Resource Management
March Portal Feedback
April HVA
May Portal Feedback
June Reporting
July Portal Feedback

Key Responsibilities

  • Managing the ESF-8 Disaster Network, comprising nine healthcare coalitions, hospital CEOs and CMOs, and state agency partners.
  • Coordinating and executing surge contracts for shelter operations, ambulance services, and supplemental staffing during emergencies.
  • Directing operations at state-level Emergency Operations Centers, including:
    • EMS Tactical Operations Center (TOC)
    • LDH Emergency Operations Center
    • Hospital Regional Coordination Network
  • Overseeing all patient movement and tracking activities throughout all phases of a disaster.
  • Coordinating emergency health response during natural or manmade disasters.
  • Supporting hospitals, long-term care, and public health facilities statewide.
  • Strengthening regional readiness through training and drills.
  • Issuing official guidance during health emergencies.
  • Maintaining and updating Louisiana’s public health emergency plans.

Through comprehensive planning, coordination, and real-time response capabilities, the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness and Response Network ensures the state is equipped to effectively respond to public health and medical emergencies of any scale.

Meet the Team

Carl Flores

Emergency Preparedness Director Carl.Flores@la.gov Learn more

Heather Gauthier

Emergency Preparedness Deputy Director Heather.Gauthier@la.gov Learn more

Erika Fontenot

ESF8 Portal Administrator Erika.Fontenot@la.gov

Adrienne C. Lewis

ESF8 Portal Monitor/Data Manager Adrienne.Lewis2@la.gov

Emergency Plans & Protocols

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide

View here

Mass Fatality Operational Response Plan

View here
Resources

Burn Disaster Resources

Stay Connected

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Health Alert Network (HAN)

Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) "Get a Game Plan" App

 

Louisiana Office of the Surgeon General

Louisiana Department of Health

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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