Government Technology - September 2008 - (Page DC24) Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, West Baton Rouge, La., officials tackled interoperability for emergency response through a regional approach. Regionally W hen hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, Louisiana’s West Baton Rouge Parish and Port of Greater Baton Rouge were unprepared to become the hub of rescue and relief operations. But as it turned out, Greater Baton Rouge was the only deep-water port on the Mississippi River that hadn’t sustained storm-related damage. Plus, the parish is close to Interstate 10 and rail lines, which made the region the impromptu post-Katrina headquarters for emergency relief and rescue operations. The port was quickly inundated by diverted vessels, residence ships and emergency supply ships. It became a staging area for emergency equipment, supplies, food, water and fuel being sent to the ports of New Orleans and St. Bernard and also Plaquemines Parish. The West Baton Rouge area became a central location for rescue operations. The port could only rely on its communications system used during regular business operations, including cell phones, Internet, marine radios and communications from river pilots, other emergency personnel and evacuees. “All these forms of communications were intermittent in their service, if they worked at all,” said Larry Johnson, current member and former president of the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission. “These agencies were inundated with calls and requests for assistance from everywhere. Responding to the disaster came down to identifying and using available resources, and people helping people.” 24 DIGITAL COMMUNITIES SEPTEMBER 08 Thinking BY CHANDLER HARRIS
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