Mission Statement | FAQ's

Our Office is the coordinator of public safety for the parish during an incident that affects the people of the parish.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP Home) is available for presentations on emergency preparedness information. We also conduct tours of the Emergency Operations Center.

Mission Statement

The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP) is the coordinating agency for emergency and disaster activities. The authority for the direction of local government is specified in various state and federal laws. Additionally, Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness is responsible for developing programs and emergency operation capabilities to prevent disasters if possible; reducing the vulnerability of parish residents to any disaster that cannot be prevented; establishing capabilities for protecting citizens from the effects of disasters; responding effectively to the actual occurrence of disasters; and providing for recovery in the aftermath of any emergency involving extensive damage or other debilitating influence on the normal pattern of life within the community. Using the four phases of Emergency Management, i.e., Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery, so as to save or protect life and property during survivable crises, the Emergency Preparedness Department joins with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that a national emergency management awareness effort is developed for total community preparedness to meet natural or manmade disasters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I witness a hazardous materials incident? 

Completely avoid the incident and report it immediately by calling 911.

What disaster may affect me in East Baton Rouge? 

The potential threats that we face in East Baton Rouge Parish range from natural hazards such as severe weather, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and winter weather to a chemical emergency and the possibility of an act of terrorism.  

How will I know if there is an emergency?

There are several ways for citizens to be notified of an emergency or of the potential for an emergency.

CAL–Community Alert System-CAL is a state-of–the-art warning system designed to reach you at home, work, or school in an emergency. CAL will notify you with a pre-recorded message in any emergency in which you have to take action. There are four ways in which CAL can notify citizens.

Telephone–CAL automatically dials the telephone numbers in the area of an emergency to play a prerecorded message telling you what to do.  CAL is able to call all telephone numbers in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Sirens and Loudspeakers–CAL may also activate sirens and loudspeakers in the emergency area.  The sirens emit a loud warning tone first, followed by an emergency message from a loudspeaker.  The sirens are located within a narrow area stretching from Baker to LSU and City Park. If you are not in the siren coverage area, CAL will call you by telephone.

School Monitors–Specific schools in North Baton Rouge are equipped with special alert monitors, which CAL activates during an emergency. These monitors sound a warning tone, and then display a printed message.

Media Hotline–CAL also notifies participating media so you may also receive information of an emergency over the radio or television.

EAS–Emergency Alert System-The Emergency Alert System uses local commercial radio and television broadcast service, which are provided on a voluntary and organized basis.  In the event of an emergency or potential emergency you should always monitor your local radio and television stations.

Emerge-Alert–Emerge-Alert interrupts cable television programming. The Emerge-Alert network provides the activating of agency direct voice communications to the viewing public over the cable television system.

Mobile Sirens–Governmental vehicles equipped with sirens or loudspeakers can provide emergency information in the parish where there are no fixed sirens.

Door–to–Door-Emergency response and public safety personnel can deliver emergency warnings by going door-to-door if necessary.

How do I know what to do to be prepared for an emergency–before, during and after? 

Before–Preplanning for an emergency can reduce the possibility of personal injury, loss of life and damage to property.

Call the East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness to find out what kind of emergency could occur in your area.

Create an Emergency Plan

Prepare Disaster Supply Kits (Home and Auto)

Learn the meaning of:  watch, warning and protective actions recommendations.

Watch and Warning–Officials will issue a watch or warning statement to provide citizens with information so that they may make any necessary preparations.

Watch–A watch is issued for an area when conditions are favorable for an event to occur, such as, thunderstorms, tornado, hurricane, etc.

Warning–a warning is issued for an area when an event is imminent or is occurring, such as thunderstorms, tornado, hurricane, etc.

Protective Action Recommendations–Officials will make recommendations based on the emergency for actions that citizens should take to protect themselves.

Before

Shelter-In-Place–This means to:

Stay inside

Close all windows and doors

Turn off all heating, air conditioning, and all window and attic fans

Try to seal off windows and doors

Do not use your telephone unless you have a personal emergency.  If you do, call 911

Tune to your local radio and television stations for more information

Evacuation–this means to:

Stay as calm as you can

Pack only what you and your family will need

Turn off all your lights, appliances, heating and air conditioning

Leave your refrigerator and freezer on

Lock your house

Evacuate to an appropriate location

Protect Your Breathing–this means to:

Cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth

Fold the cloth over several times

Close all windows and doors

Turn off all heating and air conditioning

All Clear–this means:

The emergency is over

You may resume normal activity

During-Following the recommendations of emergency officials during an emergency is very important to the safety of your family and property. You should monitor your local radio and televisions stations for updated bulletins and important information. Use your Emergency Plan.

After–You should follow the recommendations of emergency officials when the emergency is over.  Continue to monitor your local radio and television stations.

What can I do for my children if they are afraid? 

If a child is afraid, some of the things you can do are:

• Reassure them by your words as well as your actions.
• Try to keep the family together.
• Assure them that you will look out for them.
• Listen to what the child tells you about their fears.
• Encourage them to talk about their fears.

What if my children are at school?

If your child is at school:

• Do not go to your child’s school.
• School officials will take special care of the children.
• Monitor your local radio and television stations for information.

What about my pets?  Can I bring them to a shelter if I have to evacuate my home?

Pets are not allowed at American Red Cross shelters. Sheltering of Pets in East Baton Rouge Parish will be controlled by the East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Center.

1. Have a meeting with the members of your household to discuss the possible emergencies that exist and how to respond to each.

2. Identify the safe areas in your home for each type of emergency.

3. Explain what to do about power outages and personal injuries.

4. Draw a floor plan of your home and identify two escape routes from each room.

5. Show household members how to turn off the electricity, water, and gas at the main switches when necessary.

6. Identify emergency phone numbers and post near telephones.

7. Teach your children how and when to call 911.

8. Identify one out-of-state and one local contact (relative or friend) for family members to call if separated during an emergency.

9. Teach your children the phone numbers for your contacts.

10. Identify two emergency meeting places:  near your home in case of a fire & outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after an emergency.

11. Take course for CPR and First Aid.

12. Family records should be kept in a water and fireproof container.

13. Instruct family members to monitor local radio and television stations for emergency information.

What items do I need to prepare my disaster supply kits?

Emergency Supply Kit

1. Water, one gallon per person per day is recommended.  Store in sealed, unbreakable containers.  Replace the water every six months.

2. Nonperishable packaged or canned food.  Include a non-electric can opener.

3. Change of clothing, rain gear, sturdy shoes for each person.

4. Sleeping bags or blankets.

5. First aid kit and prescription medications that may be needed.

6. Extra pair of glasses.

7. Battery-powered flashlight and radio.  Include extra batteries.

8. Cash and credit cards.

9. Extra set of car keys.

10. List of family physicians

11. List of important family information.

12. Items for the people with special needs, such as infants, elderly or disabled family members.

13. Supplies should be kept in a container that is easy to transport such as a duffel bag or backpack. 

Emergency Car Kit 

1. Battery-powered flashlight and radio.  Include extra batteries.

2. Booster cables

3. Fire extinguisher (5lb., A-B-C type)

4. Bottled water

5. Water, one gallon per person per day is recommended.  Store in sealed, unbreakable containers.  Replace the water every six months.

When is Hurricane Season?

Hurricane Season, the time in which we are most likely to experience the threats of Hurricane and Tropical Storm activity, begins June 1 and continues until November 30 every year. 

How do I stay current with emergency management in East Baton Rouge Parish? 

You can stay up to date with topics and information on emergency management by watching “Project Prepare” on WAFB Channel 9 every Thursday morning at 6:20 a.m.

For additional information contact:

East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
3773 Harding Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70807
(225) 389-2100
(225) 389-2114 fax

Where can I get flood stage information?

This information can be found at these two websites:

United States Geological Survey

Water Data

What is the schedule for the River Bend Siren Test and CAL?

There is a siren test every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. CAL is also scheduled for the same day but at variable times.