The Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) has spearheaded an effort to develop an Ark-La-Tex Emergency Management Alliance. The Alliance will help local governments in the region share resources that might overwhelm a single local jurisdiction. In addition to providing mutual-aid, the Alliance is an excellent forum for emergency managers to keep current on disaster preparedness issues and activities within the tri-state area.

Earlier this year, Caddo-Bossier OHSEP was appointed as Regional Planning Office for Northwest LA through the Louisiana OHSEP. Having been given the task of creating a Regional Emergency Operations Plan (REOP) and establishing mutual-aid agreements among the seven parishes in the region, the Alliance was an excellent avenue within which to accomplish and expand these goals. The Alliance includes over forty members from numerous jurisdictions throughout the Ark-La-Tex. Mutual-aid agreements, operating by-laws, mission statement and a copyrighted logo have been agreed upon by jurisdictional leaders. An initial draft of the Regional EOP has been completed and is currently under review by the Alliance. The Alliance is also pursuing 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.

Alliance jurisdictions include: In Arkansas: Columbia, Lafayette, and Miller counties In Louisiana: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River and Webster parishes as well as Barksdale Air Force Base In Texas: Bowie, Cass, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, and Red River counties; along with the cities of Henderson, Longview, Marshall, New Boston and Texarkana, as well as the East Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Health.

Meetings are held bi-monthly with different counties/parishes offering to host each meeting. The Alliance has met in Bossier City, Louisiana; Jefferson, Texas; Texarkana, Texas; and will meet in Magnolia, Arkansas on November 5. Mike Penaluna, Assistant Director with Caddo-Bossier OHSEP, serves as Alliance Chairperson. Jerry Pierce, Director of Gregg County OEM, is Alliance Vice-Chairperson. Lisa Polak, Planning Officer with Caddo-Bossier OHSEP, serves as Alliance Secretary/Treasurer. For more information contact Caddo-Bossier OHSEP at (318) 425-5351.