City Council to Host Public Hearing on 2009 Hurricane Season
Evacuation and Shelter Planning

City Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow announced today that a public hearing on hurricane evacuation and shelter planning for the upcoming hurricane season will be held on May 26, 2009, from 5:00-7:00PM in City Council Chambers, 1300 Perdido St.

“Emergency planning is key to keeping our city safe through this
upcoming hurricane season, and community involvement is crucial,” says
Fielkow. “Our goal is to ensure that every citizen of New Orleans has
access to reliable evacuation services and safe emergency shelters.”

This hearing will afford citizens the opportunity to hear and comment
on 2009 emergency plans. Citizens will also be asked to share their
experiences in state emergency shelters last fall as evacuees during
Hurricane Gustav. The public hearing is a follow up to a request for
such an information session made during the May 7th City Council
meeting.

Featured speakers include Louisiana Department of Social Services
Secretary Kristy Nichols, Colonel Jerry Sneed of the City of New
Orleans Office of Homeland Security, and representatives of the
Governors Office of Homeland Security, Military Division, and the
Louisiana State Police.

Hurricane Gustav forced nearly 2 million Gulf Coast residents to
evacuate their homes, while nearly 800,000 residents in Louisiana were
without power for days.

The public hearing will also be broadcast live on NOA-TV.

For info:
Kate Schneiderman
Office of Councilman-at-large Arnie Fielkow
Ph: 504-905-9893
krschneiderman@cityofno.com