Jefferson Parish is inviting the public to step into the eye of a simulated storm for a hurricane evacuation exercise set for May 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual exercise is designed to sharpen the skills of parish staff and local first responders in orchestrating an evacuation amidst the chaos of a looming hurricane. As detailed on the Jefferson Parish website, volunteers are essential for the success of this drill.
Interested participants should arrive by 9:30 a.m. at either North Kenner Library or the Segnette Baseball Field, depending on the chosen location. Here, they'll be handed the script for the day, boarding a Jefferson Parish Transit bus using which they will simulate the evacuation protocol, noted in the Jefferson Parish announcement. The registration process for the exercise may be repeated several times, inadvertently teaching the volunteers the ropes of evacuation. After the activity, all participants are promised a meal and transportation back to their starting points.
Jefferson Parish is casting a wide net for volunteers of varied backgrounds, including those who are multilingual, non-English speaking, and people with disabilities requiring walkers, wheelchairs, or power chairs. Prospective volunteers are advised to come equipped with their necessary medical or mobility aids. The call for participation extends to families and pet owners, with the request that canines be leashed and felines be secured within carriers.
