Governor John Bel Edwards offered assistance and resources to aid residents of Florida following Hurricane Ian.
Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with Governor Ron DeSantis and to offer additional assistance once damage assessments have begun.
“Louisiana knows all too well the chaos and destruction a hurricane as strong as Ian can bring, and we will do everything we can to help our neighbors in Florida and other states impacted by this storm,” said Governor Edwards. “I have spoken with Governor DeSantis and instructed our state agencies to offer resources, personnel and expertise to Florida officials, some of which is already on its way. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and my senior staff will remain in regular contact with their counterparts in Florida. I also ask that you join your prayers to mine for the people of Florida and surrounding areas as they endure this devastating storm."
Assistance already fully approved for Florida:
- Two UH- 60 Blackhawk Aircraft and Crews – Louisiana National Guard, 9 personnel total
- Two Movement Control Teams - Louisiana National Guard, 14 personnel (This team helps track and coordinate the movement of resources and personnel across the impacted regions)
- Horizontal Engineer Company- Louisiana National Guard, up to 155 personnel (This company helps provide engineer support in affected areas post landfall)
- Light and Medium Truck Company Support- Louisiana National Guard, 67 personnel (This company supplies transportation resources in support of missions related to supplies and personnel)
On Thursday, September 29, 2022 two additional emergency assistance requests were approved , including a Department of Children and Family Services shelter task force and a State Fire Marshal all-hazard incident management team.
“Hurricane Ian has reached Category 4, borderline line Category 5, status as it’s approached the west coast of Florida,” said GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle. “We have had our own recent experience dealing with storms at that level. We understand the need to support others with emergency resources and personnel because other states often supply Louisiana with the same assistance. We will continue to review any requests and offer assistance whenever possible with response and the expected recovery process.”
“The Louisiana National Guard is proud of the long standing partnership with the Citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the great State of Florida,” said Major General Keith Waddell, Louisiana National Guard. “We remain ready to protect what matters for those who have supported Louisiana in years past.”
Governor Edwards has instructed GOHSEP to give him regular updates on assistance for Florida while he leads a delegation to London on an economic development mission, promoting foreign investment in Louisiana and working to find solutions to our state’s ongoing insurance issues. The governor will return to Louisiana Monday.
Governor Edwards’ Chief of Staff Mark Cooper is also in communication with Governor DeSantis’ Chief of Staff James Uthmeier.
Assistance requests are made through a system known as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC.) EMAC offers state to state assistance during governor-declared states of emergency through a responsive, straightforward system that allows states to send personnel, equipment, and commodities to help disaster relief efforts in other states.
Through EMAC, states are able to join forces and help one another, as needed, during each phase of the emergency. The state-to-state system was developed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and established in 1996.
For more information on the Emergency Management Assistance Compact visit www.emacweb.org [gov.louisiana.gov].
