Emergency Preparedness

The Tangipahoa Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (TPOHSEP) 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.