APTIM’s Louisiana Hurricane Ida Sheltering

Baton Rouge, LA, December 9, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Beginning Sunday, December 5, APTIM’s Disaster Response and Recovery team, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), provided the Louisiana has 1,400 families over the weekend, the equivalent of nearly 4,000 survivors sheltered by APTIM since the Louisiana Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program began in early October.

In response to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and the potential for future events, and after receiving federal approval from FEMA, GOHSEP made an emergency procurement request. APTIM’s Disaster Response and Recovery team was able to develop and propose a thorough action plan for the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program in Louisiana, which was ultimately selected by GOHSEP on September 24, 2021 with instructions to begin immediately.

Since its inception, the program has ensured adequate and immediate housing for survivors, provides oversight and management of housing options, including housing for non-communities (due to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic), and assists with the transition to the Direct Housing Program FEMA, if applicable.

The scope of work of APTIM comprises three phases: Survivor Services, which include the initiation, establishment of contact, initiation and authorization of casework services; Temporary protection solutions that include provisioning management, maintaining inventory, location authorization and assessments, providing solutions to survivors, providing inventory, and ongoing asset maintenance; and Transition, which includes helping survivors transition to Permanent Housing Solutions.

The state-administered Louisiana Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program continues to help those affected find caravans as part of their recovery. The state bought 3,413 trailers and developed, implemented, and refined a new FEMA-approved program to launch the hurricane survivor housing mission. The first families received their units within weeks of the announcement of the program. The speed of installation continues to increase, with an average of 60 trailers being dropped from staging areas and 50 trailers being manned by survivors each day. The aim is to have all trailers for the new state program in use by the end of December.

“With this first of its kind, APTIM is once again paving the way for the provision of emergency shelters. We have helped the state of Louisiana address inefficiencies wherever possible to expedite the placement of survivors. Every successful program has its bumps, but our team is constantly adapting, making changes to efficiency and trying to save the program for the survivors. While I am proud of what we have achieved so far, we must continue to focus on APTIM’s main mission, to support those who have lost a lot; the survivors of Hurricane Ida, â€said John Mitchell, Program Director of APTIM.

About APTIM

APTIM is a leading global provider specializing in Critical infrastructure, technical and data solutions, program management, environment, sustainability and resilience Services. Our passionate team brings proven expertise that provides comfort and confidence to those who have survived catastrophic natural disasters. We strive to leverage our strong relationships with local authorities, residents and stakeholders to provide short term critical recovery services that in turn reduce the negative health impacts on your community. Our focus is on preparing, mitigating, responding, and ultimately helping communities recover from an event that has adverse effects on the environment, health, safety and the economy. Our support services include recruitment and logistical support, debris monitoring and management, emergency services, mass supply of disaster survivors, alternative survivor housing and housing planning.