Emergency notification systems get the green light in Lafourche, Terrebonne

Several hundred Thibodaux residents received an automatic message recently announcing, “This is a test,” as the City of Thibodaux activated its new First Call emergency notification network.

First Call is able to deliver high-speed notification of an emergency via telephones, pagers and wireless devices. In the event of an actual emergency, an alert could be sent throughout the community to homes and businesses.

In all last week, 883 telephone numbers were dialed. Of those, 649 messages were delivered in 26 seconds for a 10-minute period. The message was also transmitted through 72 digital carriers, which provide 1,728 outbound digital circuits.

According to Thibodaux Police Detective Laura Guise, with First Call, more than 26,000 30-second messages can be delivered in 10 minutes.

“We implemented the First Call notification into the City of Thibodaux to show the people how it will affect them and how it will save time when an emergency situations arises,” she said.

The recent spike in disasters – man-made and natural – precipitated the addition of First Call, Thibodaux Mayor Charles Caillouet said.

“This is one more way in which we are able to communicate with the public during the critical situations,” he said. “I am very pleased with the results of the First Call network test.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office uses a similar system called the “Communicator” to reach residents in emergencies.

“We can call any neighborhood or ward in the whole parish,” department spokesman Larry Weidel said.

Terrebonne Parish ties into the Louisiana Emergency Telephone Network to notify residents.

According to Mike Deroche, director of Terrebonne Parish’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the parish can transmit emergency messages via telephone to more than 32,000 residents.

Terrebonne Parish law enforcement agencies mainly rely on the first alert systems used by the parish’s homeland security office.

Lt. Beralon Yelverton of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office said the agency also uses public service announcements or local television broadcasting in conjunction with the parish system.