Congratulations to our 2014 LEPA Award Winners!
Ami has shown extraordinary leadership while serving under extreme conditions during emergency operations in Ascension Parish. She distinguished herself while serving as the Operations Section Chief in the emergency operations center on June 13, 2013. That day Ascension Parish experienced a catastrophic explosion at a chemical processing facility that resulted in over 300 evacuees, numerous injuries and two fatalities. As section chief and with the absence of leadership Ami activated the emergency operations center, initiated emergency protective actions commensurate with the incident, provided situational awareness to all agencies involved, deployed mass casualty equipment, established a joint information center and formed a family reunification point. Her actions reduced further casualties and saved lives. Her technical expertise and professionalism is in keeping with the highest traditions of emergency management and reflect great credit upon herself, and the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Since 2010, Command Technician Moss has served as the Emergency Services Unit Commander, which incorporates the Right to Know Section, Hazardous Materials Section and Explosive Control. He began his career at Troop C in Grey, LA where like all new troopers; he patrolled the highways performing his law enforcement duties. He transferred from Troop C and served as a Hazmat Responder in the New Orleans/Houma area. He went on to work at State Police Headquarters in Baton Rouge where he served in numerous sections including Operations, Training and the Commander of Support Services. Command Technician Moss also participates in the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute (SDMI) Industry Orientation Team that provides industry management officials with key emergency information necessary to successfully operate in their respective parish.
Colonel Barattini has spent his most of his life serving his country and his community. He has worked with the Louisiana National Guard to establish a group of highly trained professional soldiers who are ready to assist during emergency operations and currently he commands the only active unit in the State of Louisiana. Colonel Barattini has been instrumental in assisting soldiers in his command to obtain the Military Emergency Management Specialist designation and the Louisiana Emergency Management designation through LEPA. Colonel Barattini currently holds both certifications. He continues to serve his community on a daily basis at the Caddo Bossier Office of Homeland Security.
Kim is an LEM and CEM and has worked in Emergency manegment for the past 14 years. She currently holds the position of Assistant Director at the Acadia Parish Office of homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. She also oversees the grant programs and is involved in the daily operations.
Senator Sherri Buffington worked tirelessly to help find transportation for stranded elderly and others during Hurricane Katrina. She has played an important role in finding and distributing supplies to people and organizations in need of assistance during emergencies since Hurricane Katrina. Recently, she acted as an intermediary in obtaining heaters and generators for a nursing facility that lost power in her district during the 2014 ice storms.
John has committed a lifetime of service to his community and after retiring he continues to serve the Emergency Preparedness community without compensation. After retiring from the US Army, Army Reserve and National Guard John serves in an unpaid volunteer position as the Logistic Planning NCO for the 5th Area Command. He also holds current certification as Military Emergency Management Specialist—Senior. Since John retired from the Sherriffs Department he continues to serve the department in an unpaid position as a Reserve Deputy. He teaches various classes related to Hazardous Materials as well as mentoring other deputies.
Vicki had to assume all the responsibilities of the Director of Tangipahoa Parish OHSEP in addition to her normal everyday duties while the Director, Dawson Primes LEM, was deployed overseas for a year. She assisted in the facilitation of major changes to the parish's sheltering plan and the new National Guard Regional Staging Area in Tangipahoa Parish. Outside of her comfort zone, Vicki has had to make several public speaking engagements normally done by the Director informing the public civic organizations during the 2013 hurricane season. Ms. Travis also was appointed to the State Citizens Corps Board and currently holds the position of Vice President. Her loyalty, dedication and service to the citizens of Tangipahoa Parish and State of Louisiana reflect great credit upon herself and the emergency management profession.
Chief Landry and Chief Normand displayed extraordinary acts of valor while serving under extremely hazardous conditions during primary triage operations in Ascension Parish. They distinguished themselves by their heroic actions while serving as a district fire chiefs in the Gonzales fire department on June 13, 2013. That day Ascension Parish experienced a catastrophic explosion at a chemical processing facility that resulted in numerous injuries and two fatalities. With total disregard for their own safety Chief Landry and Chief Normand remained within the hot zone of the incident after all other first responders were ordered to withdraw. They established a primary triage point, coordinated ground medical transportation and called in medical helicopter support. Their brave actions reduced further casualties and saved lives. Their bravery and professionalism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service and reflects great credit upon themselves and the Gonzales Fire Department.
Chief Stewart displayed extraordinary acts of valor while serving under extremely hazardous conditions during primary HAZMAT operations in Ascension Parish. He distinguished himself by heroic actions while serving as the HAZMAT Technician for Ascension Parish Sherriff’s Office HAZMAT Team on June 13, 2013. That day Ascension Parish experienced a catastrophic explosion at a chemical processing facility that resulted in numerous injuries and two fatalities. Although the risks were assessed, Chief Stewart placed his own personal safety in jeopardy by entering the hot zone and blast area on two separate occasions. One entry was made to assess the re-boilers that experienced the catastrophic failure, and again to recover the victims of the incident. These brave actions reduced further casualties and saved lives. Chief Stewart’s bravery and professionalism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service and reflects great credit upon himself and the Prairieville Fire Department.
LT. Cody Melancon displayed extraordinary acts of valor while serving under extremely hazardous conditions during incident command operations in Ascension Parish. He distinguished himself while serving as a HAZMAT Team Leader and Incident Commander on June 13, 2013. That day Ascension Parish experienced a catastrophic explosion at a chemical processing facility that resulted in numerous injuries and two fatalities. As the leader of the HAZMAT Team, and duties as Incident commander, his actions reduced further casualties and saved lives. His technical expertise and professionalism is in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement and reflects great credit upon himself, and the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The Louisiana State Police Emergency Services unit displayed extraordinary acts of valor while serving under extremely hazardous conditions during primary HAZMAT operations in Ascension Parish. They distinguished themselves by heroic actions while serving as HAZMAT Technicians for the Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit on June 13, 2013. That day Ascension Parish experienced a catastrophic explosion at a chemical processing facility that resulted in numerous injuries and two fatalities. Although the risks were assessed, the troopers placed their own safety in jeopardy be entering the hot zone and blast area on two separate occasions. One entry was made to assess the re-boilers that experienced the catastrophic failure, and again to recover the victims of the incident. These brave actions reduced further casualties and saved lives. Their bravery and professionalism is in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement and the Louisiana State Police.