REVIEW OF SHREVEPORT'S RESPONSE TO THE FEBRUARY WINTER STORM

The City of Shreveport conducted a meeting last month with all City Department Heads to review the City's response to the unprecedented February winter storm.

The purpose of the "after action" meeting was to gather input regarding the issues identified, the corrective activities needed to address the issues , and resources need to prepare fo future occurrences.

Chief Administrative Office Henry L. Whitehorn briefed the Council at its last meeting on the 160 page plus report.
Here are the primary recommendations.

Mayor's Office/Command and Control
1. Provide additional and followup training to directors and critical employees who may be involved in future disaster response operations.
2. Cross-train multiple personnel in each position vital to emergency operations to allow backups for unforeseen circumstances and to staff multi-day 24-hour operations.

SHREVEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. Have additional four wheel drive vehicles for patrol duties
2. Maintain seven days of water supply and food (MRES) for employees and city hall inmates
3. Additional training for Command staff for future events.

SHREVEPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. Have reliable generators at each station
2. Update GIS to identify locations of valves and lines
3. Have a city command center to coordinate communications
4. Develop notification center for reporting of citizens problems and emergencies.

WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT
1. Have reliable generators in key locations for operations
2. Improved GIS to locate valves and lines
3. Improved communications with city departments.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1. Pre-stage sand and equipment closer to locations needed such as fire stations, hospitals, police station
2. Have staff accommodations available close to worksites
3. Have emergency aid contract with contractors for provide needed assistance
4. Develop criteria for level of response and fund equipment and staff for the same.

SHREVEPORT PUBLIC ASSEMBLY & RECREATION (SPAR)
1. Develop checklists for winter preparedness of facilities
2. Have generators for Maintenance Facility
3. Have four wheel drive vehicles
4. Stockpile materials for snow/ice removal.

SPORTAN
1. Appointment of a dedicated Emergency Coordinator to facilitate storm response coordination and information sharing
2. Improve procedures to have more detailed bus and paratransit service status information on website
3. Improve procedures to evaluate and respond to degraded road conditions.
4. Improve transportation coordination with 211 and 911.

PROPERTY STANDARDS
1. Have more four wheel drive vehicles
2. Send heavy equipment home with staff members before the storm.

SHREVEPORT AIRPORT
1. Revise Snow and Ice Control Plan for a sustained multi-day weather event
2. Plan for sufficient water and food storage for airport operations
3. Have multipurpose equipment to handle snow and ice.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. Have a Emergency Disaster Relief Fund
2. Develop a Neighbourhood Ambassador Program to train citizens to check on and assist neighbors
3. Increase manning for 211 center during crisis/emergencies.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1. IT department be embedded with official communications team to assist in information distribution
2. Increase GIS capabilities
3. Expand digital communication capabilities.

FINANCE
1. Invest in virtual timekeeping system for entry and review by employees from home.
2. Establish protocol for assistance to other departments in future emergencies.

CITY ATTORNEY
1. Work with Risk Management to help properly assess damages and outline specific defenses to minimize liability
2. Maintain contact with Communications and Government Affair Departments to provide legal advice and advise on release of information.

RISK MANAGEMENT
Have computer resources for complete connectivity with all city departments during emergencies.
HUMAN RESOURCES
With assistance of Information Technology deploy software to city departments for personnel management.

METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION
Update Emergency Operations Plans.
OFFICE OF FAIR SHARE
Provide printing capabilities for at home work.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Ensure consistent and accurate communications to public.
2. Establish scheduled updates of elected officials and joint press conferences
3. Establish daily department head updates for accurate and up-to-date media reports.

Whitehorn advised the Council that steps were being taken to implement needed changes. He stated that many of the equipment needs may be appropriate for the American Rescue Funds the city will be receiving in May of this year.