Baton Rouge -- As the Mississippi rises to the top of the levees, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) initiated its Incident Management Plan in preparation to respond to the expected floods. Disaster Operations Management staff are monitoring the situation with the state and local response groups and through church parishes. 

“While the exact role and activities will vary and be unique to each disaster,” said David Aguillard, CCDBR Executive Director, “we focus on filling gaps in existing services, primarily for the most vulnerable populations and those with the greatest needs.”

At this time, the Disaster Operations staff are contacting entities within each parish, identifying special needs populations and finding where gaps in services might exist. From there the agency will develop a plan of action for their response in the initial relief stage of the disaster.  Once the damages are assessed, they’ll start preparing for the recovery phase of the disaster. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, CCDBR became the Capital Region leader in disaster response and long-term recovery.  That role was solidified in the aftermath of disasters since then, including Hurricane Gustav. 

Since Katrina, agency staff are now considered the disaster response “professionals” in the Catholic Charities network of 175 agencies nationwide. Several have been called upon to serve as faculty in the CCUSA Applied Institute for Disaster Management and are frequently sent to assist other Dioceses respond to their disasters. 

CCDBR staffer Carol Spruell returned late Wednesday evening from her deployment to the Diocese of Birmingham with the Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Disaster Operations team following the tornadoes that ripped through the state on April 26. She assisted the local diocese with their communications and worked with media to call attention to the needs of the area. 

“So many generous people came to work side-by-side in the trenches with us after Hurricane Katrina,” said Spruell, CCDBR Communications Coordinator. “I feel so blessed to be able to give back and use some the lessons we learned the hard way.” 

Spruell noted that while the damage of the Alabama tornadoes might look different that we what expect in this area from the floods, the needs will still be the same. 

“Catholic Charities true gift is getting the help to the people who need it the most in the initial stages and then sticking around for the long-haul when people are trying to rebuild their lives.” 

To donate or volunteer with Catholic Charities visit their website www.CatholicCharitiesBR.org, or call 225-336-8700 or mail a check to P. O. Box 1668, Baton Rouge, LA  70821. 

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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge services are provided regardless of religion in a 12 parish region. For over 45 years, CCDBR has been providing life-sustaining services like adoptions, senior employment, prison ministry, migration & refugee services, just to name a few.  Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, CCDBR has become the largest social service provider in the area and is the number one referred to agency by the 211-info line.  CCDBR is a member of Capital Area United Way and Catholic Charities USA.