Largest ever evacuation drill

Federal, state and local officials are taking part in a large-scale evacuation drill today across South Louisiana.

Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard (far right) says they have never done this before. "It is the largest test to date of the ability of government to evacuate citizens."

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (center) says, "Today is a great day for us to kind of check ourselves and make sure that we have gone through all of our procedures one more time to make sure that we are ready."

Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall (far left) says this is the first time they are having all the parishes in the region simultaneously test their ability to move large numbers of evacuees. "I think the stove pipes are broken. People realize that we have to all work together in order to provide the best service we can to the residents," Hall told WWL First News.

He says they want to test "the whole thing from the time that they're notified to evacuate until the time that evacuation is carried out."
The includes the system of calling an evacuation through actually moving people to shelters, while making sure to keep families together, take care of the sick and elderly, and meet the needs of pets during the evacuation.

The drill also marks the first ever activation of regional evacuation centers.

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro (center-left) says, "We are fully prepared to assist... to make sure all residents are brought safely to their destination during any type of evacuation."

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser (behind Nagin) says they are also interested in finding ways to do better. "This is a great exercise so we can find out what we need to do differently in the event it was a real emergency."

Officials will be graded on their ability to notify, process and move people through the process.

All of the officials on hand stressed that a successful evacuation also means people taking personal responsibility and preparing for an evacuation.