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 Governor, 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.

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.