Officials to review Isaac operations

LIVINGSTON — A Livingston Parish councilman has called for creating a committee to review how the parish government handled operations during Hurricane Isaac.

Councilman Jim Norred said during Thursday’s council meeting that the people involved need to look at what worked, what didn’t work and what needs to be modified.

Most council members and members of the audience who spoke about the storm response praised the activities of parish workers, volunteer fire departments and other emergency workers.

Councilwoman Joan Landry said volunteer firefighters did a great job.

Councilman Ronnie Sharp said that the parish’s Department of Public Works got sand and supplies to people in his district, which was hit hard by flooding.

However, Norred said some things can be improved.

He said shovels should be available at parish sand piles for people filling sandbags and suggested that prisoners be used to help fill sandbags.

Norred said council members need radios to communicate about problems in their districts because of poor cellphone service after the storm.

He said he would like to see a review done by the parish president, the Office of Emergency Preparedness and fire officials.

Council Chairwoman Cindy Wale appointed several council members to participate in that review.

Emergency Preparedness Director Mark Harrell said an after-action assessment is always helpful.

Parish President Layton Ricks said he will make sure council members get radios during future storms.

During Isaac, all of the radios were handed out to first-responders and other emergency personnel, he said.