DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / July 1, 2000

LUTCHER – Local agencies of emergency preparation, hospitals and other health administrations met at Lutcher High School Thursday with members of the Department of Health and Hospitals regarding shelter organization in the event of hurricanes this year.

Regional Administrator Fred Duplechin organized the group to familiarize themselves with the set locations, policies and procedures of the special needs shelters.

“Some may have not been to the shelter site before. So it gave them achance to walk through the place,” said Duplechin.

There are three special needs sites in this district. One site is housed atNicholls State University in Assumption Parish. The Lafourche Parish siteis at the Thibodaux Civic Center, and Lutcher High School is the St. Jamessite. The district sites provide service for Assumption, Lafourche,Terrebone, St. James, St. John and St. Charles parishes. The Lutcher site isdesignated for the River Parishes, though do to lack of accessibility most St. John and St. Charles residents often head for other sites, saidDuplechin.

The special needs center is opened when a natural or manmade disaster occurs or is expected. If a hurricane reaches the 150 mile radius of thedistrict, a center is usually opened, said Duplechin. The purpose of thecenter is to monitor and care for individuals with health concerns.

Two categories are used for these patients. Category one patients aremore often in critical need of care or observation. These patients usuallyneed to be kept close to a hospital rather than being evacuated from the area. Category two patients often have constant on-going treatment fortheir health concerns, though they are usually treated at home.

The center provides a safe site for the local residents that fit into those categories. The center does not provide acute care for people injuredbefore, during or after a disaster, as such patients are directed to local hospitals, said Duplechin.

Other agencies assist in coordination of the center. The Department ofSocial Services operate the center, and the St. James Parish Hospitalprovides beds, linen, food and other support, though not in a contractual capacity. The hospital is to small to serve as a shelter itself, saidDuplechin. There will be about 30 staff members at the shelter, he added.Several years ago the DHH entered into an agreement with local agencies to participate in the organization of emergency special care centers. Thelast center was opened during hurricane George.

“The next year we had time to go over what we had learned and establish policies and procedures,” said Duplechin.

Thursday’s meeting helped further establish the special care center in St.

James and prepare all the agencies involved in its organization to act quickly and effectively in protecting those citizens in extra need of care during natural catastrophes.

Return To News Stories