News

Jefferson Parish is participating in a six-parish collaboration on evacuation re-entry for businesses following a disaster such as a hurricane.

The parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and St. John, as well as the Louisiana State Police, have agreed to honor each other’s plans and to use the same re-entry documents.

In cases where the return of all citizens is not feasible or safe after a disaster in Jefferson Parish, the plan will allow for a phased re-entry of rescue and recovery workers followed by businesses needed to restore infrastructure and provide sustainable living conditions.

Businesses that do most of their work in Jefferson Parish should apply for their re-entry vehicle passes now at https://www.jumpstartjefferson.com/. Businesses can see the entire Evacuation Re-Entry Plan at the https://www.jeffparish.net/ homepage by clicking on Evacuation Re-Entry Plan in the box in the top right corner of the page.

Essentially, the plan allows emergency responders to have unrestricted access to a disaster area in Jefferson Parish. Those first responders include law enforcement, emergency management personnel, fire services, emergency medical personnel, the military, approved search and rescue teams, and emergency support personnel.

The next level of disaster response is called Tier 1. These include the major utility companies, pre-designated government contractors, suppliers of emergency relief goods and equipment and others necessary for the restoration of critical infrastructure and the support of emergency response efforts. Businesses cannot apply for Tier 1 passes; the parish will pre-designate Tier 1 passes to those businesses and agencies in this category. However, a business that applies for Tier 2 or Tier 3 passes may be moved up to Tier 1 status if emergency managers decide it is necessary.

Tier 2 allows for the re-entry of humanitarian relief agencies and small disaster response teams of large businesses essential to the economy of Jefferson Parish and those with unique circumstances such as fragile inventory or hazardous materials.

Tier 3 is the final stage before the residents return and includes businesses that are essential to the imminent return of residents and to economic vitality in Jefferson Parish.

Emergency management officials will determine the appropriate tier for each business that applies for re-entry placards. Tier 1 and 2 businesses will then be issued vehicle placards that will allow the vehicle to pass through any of the six parishes in order to get to and travel within the parish where they work.

Tier 3 businesses will be pre-approved for their passes which they can print out on-line once the recovery moves into the Tier 3 phase.

Business owners are reminded that applying for Re-Entry placards is only one part of being prepared. For information on Hurricane Preparedness for businesses, review JEDCO’s Hurricane Checklist and 10 Steps to Prepare Your Business.