Homeland Security

Our Mission

The Homeland Security Division in Louisiana plays a vital role in safeguarding the state against terrorism, and coordinates preparedness and response efforts in order to save lives, protect property and maintain infrastructure in Louisiana. The division monitors potential threats and maintains readiness to act swiftly in the event of a terrorist incident.

State Response + Readiness

The Select Legislative Committees on Homeland Security; Louisiana Senate Select Committee on Homeland Security and the Louisiana House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee were created to provide legislative leadership and assistance in the coordination of state efforts to secure the state of Louisiana from terrorist threats and attacks. These committees, together with the Governor’s Office, are committed and privileged to serve the citizens of this great state in this vital task of assuring a safe and secure environment.

Homeland Security Advisor

The GOHSEP Director, as appointed by the Govenor, serves as the Homeland Security Advisor for the state of Louisiana.

Public Health

Protection of public health and safety requires an all crimes and all hazards approach. The possible exposure to chemicals, biological agents, and radiological and explosive materials caused accidentally or intentionally by individuals or groups motivated by political, religious, ecological or other ideological objectives, requires the public to know some basic information and appropriate responses in the event of a health threat. To be prepared information and resources are available.

GOHSEP is committed to strengthening the State’s health and safety by protecting against health threats to the public. Public health emergencies include disease, biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear incidents caused by intentional acts, accidents, or natural occurrences.

State health security is critical and depends on the ability to safeguard against, mitigate, respond rapidly to and recover from public health threats and hazards.

As an individual it is important to be informed and prepared for the appropriate choices when the situation calls for you to respond. Knowing the appropriate evacuation routes for your area is a good first step, as is the proper procedures for being in the event of a chemical spill or biological attack. There are a number of resources and guides to help you better prepare for an emergency situation and alerts when there is a public health threat.

Public health awareness and preparedness on a high level creates opportunities for collaboration and information sharing among individuals, public health agencies, law enforcement and other health and human service agencies. These activities build alliances to respond to health threats, and also promote healthy lives for Louisiana citizens and address the threats of chronic disease or any other hazards.

Critical Infrastructure

The protection of critical infrastructure in Louisiana is a top priority for the state’s homeland security efforts. The goal is to ensure that essential assets and facilities across all 16 critical infrastructure sectors remain secure and resilient. This includes reducing vulnerabilities, minimizing the consequences of natural or human-made hazards, identifying and disrupting threats, and ensuring a rapid response and recovery in the event of an incident.

At the heart of this mission is a collaborative approach. Louisiana’s Homeland Security office works with industry partners, local and Parish governments, and federal agencies to manage infrastructure risks. Through shared planning, integrated communication, and joint exercises, these partnerships help reinforce the state’s ability to withstand and quickly bounce back from disruptions.

The Homeland Security Division’s Critical Infrastructure efforts help the state and Parishes prepare critical infrastructure for potential risks by identifying consequences, vulnerabilities, and threats that can be mitigated or prepared for in possible future responses to an adverse incident. A State Risk Assessment is completed each year to assist in the production of a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and State Preparedness Report.

Key initiatives include maintaining an accurate, up-to-date list of critical infrastructure assets statewide, encouraging both sector-specific and cross-sector coordination, and promoting strong information-sharing networks. These efforts are not only vital for resilience but also influence the state’s relative risk score—a factor that directly affects eligibility for federal grant programs like SHSP, UASI, and Operation Stone Garden.

Additionally, Louisiana actively nominates key infrastructure sites to the National Critical Infrastructure Protection Program (NCIPP), helping ensure national-level recognition and support. The state also identifies and reports all significant special events for potential Security Event Assessment Ratings (SEAR) from the Department of Homeland Security, further enhancing preparedness and coordinated protection efforts.

Radiological

Louisiana’s Homeland Security office plays a critical role in strengthening the state's radiological preparedness, with a focus on maintaining continuity within the radiological department while enhancing training standards and fostering new partnerships across the state. This approach ensures that both state and local agencies are equipped to handle incidents involving commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) effectively and safely.

The mission centers on aligning with national strategies to provide state and local governments with actionable guidance for planning, training, and exercises. These efforts are designed to ensure the state can prevent, protect against, and respond to radiological emergencies, ultimately aiming to save lives and safeguard critical infrastructure.

To support this mission, Louisiana emphasizes radiological training and awareness throughout all regions, equipping first responders and emergency management personnel with the knowledge they need. The state evaluates the emergency response capabilities of local jurisdictions, applicants, and licensees, making sure their plans are robust and up to date.

Collaboration with the Interoperability department is another key component, helping to integrate advanced warning technologies into emergency systems and training agencies in their use. Additionally, Louisiana manages the calibration of radiological equipment used by Parish first responders and fixed nuclear facilities, ensuring reliability during emergencies. Oversight of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and Fixed Nuclear Facility (FNF) budgets ensures continued support and resources for these vital initiatives.

Louisiana Center for Safe Schools

The Louisiana Center for Safe Schools (LCSS) is a vital initiative aimed at ensuring that all educational facilities across the state are secure, resilient, and well-prepared to respond to threats. As part of its ongoing mission, LCSS is focused on expanding its capabilities through the addition of skilled personnel and the integration of modern technology to better protect students, faculty, and staff.

At the heart of LCSS’s mission is its role as a central hub for school safety resources, technological tools, and best practices. The center works closely with public and private schools, as well as NGOs, to establish standardized protocols for preparing for and responding to potential threats and attacks. This includes helping schools develop and maintain comprehensive safety preparedness records and emergency plans.

LCSS also emphasizes collaboration—both within Louisiana and with other states—to gather and implement best practices in school safety. The center coordinates with key stakeholders to ensure that assessment tools remain current and effective. A major component of their strategy involves incorporating anonymous reporting and alerting systems into each school’s safety framework, giving students and faculty discreet ways to raise concerns.

To support these efforts, LCSS manages an $8.6 million operational budget and administers a $5 million annual grant program. These funds are used to improve school infrastructure, implement new safety technologies, and build a baseline of preparedness and resiliency across all schools in the state. Through this comprehensive approach, LCSS is helping to create safer, more responsive learning environments statewide.

Intelligence

Louisiana’s homeland security mission includes a strong focus on intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination to support both daily operations and emergency response efforts. By providing actionable intelligence to decision-makers at all levels, the state enhances its ability to respond quickly to threats, hazards, and incidents that could impact the safety of its people and infrastructure.

Central to this mission is the state's coordination with law enforcement and intelligence partners at the local, state, and federal levels. As a key liaison to Louisiana’s Fusion Center—LA-SAFE—the intelligence unit ensures a seamless flow of information between agencies. This integration strengthens the connection between intelligence gathering and emergency management, enabling a more unified and effective response to any situation.

The Division’s Criminal Intelligence section shares intelligence among State Police, local law enforcement agencies, federal law enforcement agencies, and state leaders. GOHSEP collaborates with the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE), a fusion center housed on the State Police campus, which gathers and analyzes information from law enforcement, emergency management, and other partners to detect and prevent possible threats. This real-time data-sharing helps in identifying suspicious activity and taking proactive steps.

Additionally, the Criminal Intelligence section supports training programs and simulation exercises for first responders and critical infrastructure operators to ensure they are equipped to handle various types of terrorist scenarios. They also conduct public awareness campaigns encouraging residents to report suspicious activities, enhancing community resilience. Finally, the Director of Intelligence participates in the Governor’s Human Trafficking Prevention initiatives, including serving on the Governor’s Commission and Advisory Board.

Efforts are continuously being made to expand intelligence capabilities by researching and adopting emerging technologies. Enhancing communication networks and fostering collaboration among partners helps ensure critical information reaches the right people at the right time. These relationships also play a vital role in building resilience against all hazards, from natural disasters to terrorist threats.

By improving the flow of intelligence across agencies and nurturing strong partnerships, Louisiana remains committed to using information as a powerful tool for prevention, protection, and preparedness.

Interoperability

Louisiana’s commitment to public safety includes maintaining and improving the Louisiana Wireless Information Network (LWIN)—the state's primary emergency communication system. The task at hand is to ensure LWIN and all redundant networks are fully operational at all times, especially during critical incidents, while also revising the departmental budget to eliminate inefficiencies and maximize the impact of every dollar spent.

The mission is clear: to provide a reliable and resilient digital communications infrastructure that can withstand emergencies and enable coordination across agencies. This system is essential for saving lives, protecting property, and ensuring continuity of operations during both natural and man-made disasters.

Key efforts focus on enhancing redundancy networks and empowering the operators who manage them. The state is also working to increase the number of AUXCOM (Auxiliary Communications) users, which expands the pool of trained individuals capable of maintaining communications in emergencies. Collaboration with Parish officials and Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) is ongoing, including hands-on training and regular testing of communications equipment.

To support these efforts, Louisiana manages a $42 million LWIN budget. The state continues to revise operational procedures and adopt best practices to ensure the reliability and efficiency of communications networks. Strengthening these systems is not just about technology—it's about building a communications framework that communities can depend on when it matters most.