LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — In 2024, Mayor President Monique Blanco Boulet created the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) for Lafayette. One of its first orders of business, coming up with an updated emergency plan, which can be followed in the event of a natural disaster.

Former Scott Fire Chief Chad Sonnier, who was appointed as director of the office, shared how the Mayor President is taking charge of the initiative.

“She’s been dedicated to having a plan and that was her first initiative, to make a response plan and our emergency operations plan,” Sonnier said.

The plan, Sonnier said, helps Lafayette parish align with state and national emergency preparedness standards.

“It lets us align with all of our partners that would respond incase we have a disaster or major weather event.” Sonnier shared.

The connectivity, Sonnier explains, is crucial in making sure everyone knows their role in a disaster.

“It really brings everyone together, law enforcement, firefighters, other emergency personnel, not only locally, but throughout the state,” Sonnier said.

The plan also connects the Mayor-President’s office with the Emergency Preparedness Office as the Mayor-President makes crucial public safety decisions, such as evacuation orders.

“It gives us a timeline as responders to plan everything out whether it be evacuating people,” Sonnier said.

Taking the time to plan ahead, Sonnier said, is the reason why he is so confident in the 250-page plan.

“We had law enforcement, everybody from animal control, we have firefighters, we had everybody come out and we worked on this plan for over six months to get it the best that it can be and I think we’re ready,” Sonnier said. “It’s probably the best state plan in the state.”

For more information on the updated Emergency Operations Plan, a PDF document can be viewed below.

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