About Community Preparedness
Public Health Response | Partners & Stakeholders | Contacts
The Bureau of Community Preparedness (BCP) uses an all-hazards approach to integrate state and local public health jurisdictions for response to public health threats. The Bureau is organized according to the National Incident Management System, Incident Command Structure (ICS). Components of ICS include Command, Administration & Finance, Logistics, Operations and Planning. This structure allows for efficient management by integrating processes, personnel, communications and equipment on a day-to-day basis, as well as during emergencies.
Vision, Mission and Core Values
BCP is responsible for ensuring that the activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreement Program (42 U.S.C. 247d-3) are carried out as identified in the Bureau's work plan. The purpose of the PHEP program is to develop emergency-ready public health organizations by upgrading, integrating and evaluating state and local public health jurisdictions' preparedness for and response to terrorism, pandemic influenza, and other public health emergencies. To accomplish the goals set forth by the CDC in the PHEP, BCP follows its mission to build healthy communities through prevention, preparedness and response. To achieve its mission, BCP works closely with its colleagues, local, state and national preparedness partners to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action. The Bureau of Community Preparedness has a vision of healthy, safe and prepared communities. BCP's core values are respect, teamwork, caring, diversity, equity, inclusion, integrity, credibility, accountability, professionalism, competency, innovation and knowledge.
What services are provided?
Services provided through BCP are a result of the need for improved planning and training given domestic attacks such as 9/11 and catastrophic climate-related disasters. Public health preparedness has grown to include response planning for natural disasters. These disasters include pandemics, outbreaks, ice storms and flooding, as well as man-made events that include oil and chemical spills, and anthrax attacks. BCP offers public health expertise to its partners during preparedness phase (ie planning, trainings and exercises) and response phases (ie information sharing and medical operations). Moreover, services are provided for local, state and national partners in accordance with the National Response Framework.
Created in response to the disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Bureau of Community Preparedness built upon existing bioterrorism response initiatives. Those initiatives were expanded to encompass emerging directives from the federal Department of Homeland Security. The bureau is structured in an Incident Command System (ICS) structure that follows National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) guidelines.
Responsible for maintaining the LDH Emergency Operations Center (LDH EOC) at a constant state of readiness, BCP staff responds 24/7 to incidents occurring across the state which have the potential to become threats to the public's health. Through LDH, the Bureau of Community Preparedness leads the State's public health response to disasters.
BCP staff is responsible for providing both training and exercises to LDH employees, volunteers, community partners and stakeholders on subjects such as hands-on setup of Point of Dispensing Sites (PODs) that are used for distribution of Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) medications.
BCP provides a wide array of logistical support such as supply trailers and medical equipment for events and incidents as directed by the State Health Officer.
Per the State's laws governing emergency response, LDH is the agency primarily responsible for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8, Public Health & Medical Services, after a disaster. The Bureau of Community Preparedness leads LDH's support in this area. LDH has many state, local and regional partners who assist in providing the public health response to a disaster.
Some of LDH's partners and stakeholders include other state agencies, like Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Corrections, other health agencies, including the LSU Health Sciences Center, the Louisiana National Guard and educational systems.
The Bureau of Community Preparedness conducts a number of private training sessions with their ESF 8 partners and stakeholders throughout the year. Because these trainings are highly specialized and detail confidential medical information, these sessions are not open to the general public.
Sundée Winder, PhD, MSPHExecutive Director
PH: 225.354.3511
FX: 225.355.9963
EMAIL: sundee.winder@la.gov
Karmen Torrence, PhD
Deputy Director of Preparedness/ Planning Program Manager
PH: 225.354.3520
EMAIL: karmen.torrence@la.gov
Natasha Seals, PharmDDeputy Director of Response/SNS Coordinator
PH: 225.354.3510
EMAIL: natasha.seals@la.gov
Sandra Harris, PhD, LPC
Admin/Finance Program Manager
PH: 225.354.3504
EMAIL: sandra.l.harris@la.gov
Monica Pierson-McDaniels, MS, RDN, LDNLogistics Program Manager
PH: 225.354.3530
EMAIL: monica.mcdaniels2@la.gov
Brittney Alexander-Sanders, DNP, FNP-C, APRN
Operations Program Manager
PH: 225.219.9986
EMAIL: brittney.alexander-sanders@la.gov
Gail Hollins, PhD, RNPandemic Influenza - Statewide RN Program Consultant
PH: 225.354.3508
EMAIL: gail.hollins@la.gov