Louisiana has taken another step in improving emergency preparedness by launching a new mobile app to assist residents in accessing crucial information, particularly during hurricane seasons and other disasters, according to this article from HoumaToday.  The “Get A Game Plan” app was developed by the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). According to GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux, the app was designed to help residents going through disaster recovery easily locate distribution centers, referred to as Points of Distribution (PODs), among other resources.

While speaking in Houma last Friday, Thibodeaux expressed his satisfaction with the app and the efficiency it brought to disaster recovery efforts. He mentioned that one of the primary goals of creating the app was to streamline the process of finding nearby distribution sites. “We wanted to make it easier for people to find what they need,” Thibodeaux explained, as he shared his pride in the department’s success with this new tool.

During his demonstration, Thibodeaux showcased how the app worked by navigating through its simple interface. “Go to the ‘Get A Game Plan’ app, and you can see all the POD locations,” he mentioned, comparing it to finding nearby movie theaters. Thibodeaux then demonstrated by pressing just two buttons on his phone, bringing up a list of six distribution centers. With one more tap, he displayed Google Maps directions to the Bayou Blue Fire Department Central Station, a distribution center where water, ice, and meals were available.

However, Thibodeaux noted that the easiest way to download the app was by visiting GOHSEP’s official website, getagameplan.org, rather than searching on the Android store, where unrelated sports apps with similar names would appear. The app offers more than just a way to locate PODs—it serves as an all-encompassing emergency preparedness tool.

The app allows users to access various features aimed at helping Louisiana residents prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. Thibodeaux explained that one of the key functions of the app is its ability to generate personalized supply lists based on the number of adults, infants, and pets in a household. “You just tell it how many people you’re planning for, and it creates a supply list of everything you’ll need. Pretty dang cool,” Thibodeaux commented as he described the app’s supply list feature.

In addition to the supply list, the app provides several other vital resources, including shopping suggestions, guidance on making emergency plans ahead of time, and essential contact numbers. Thibodeaux noted that users could also access real-time hurricane updates, evacuation orders, and even a price-gouging report tool. The app serves as a central hub for information and preparation tips, aiming to make disaster recovery more manageable for residents across Louisiana.

As per the details available on getagameplan.org, the LA Get A Game Plan App is the official mobile application provided by GOHSEP for Louisiana residents. Its primary purpose is to allow users to prepare for emergencies in advance and provide access to up-to-date information throughout disaster situations. The app is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that anyone, from tech-savvy individuals to those less familiar with technology, can easily navigate it.

In essence, the “Get A Game Plan” app was designed to simplify disaster preparedness and recovery for Louisiana residents. By offering a wide range of tools, from personalized supply lists to real-time updates, it seeks to provide vital resources at the touch of a button. Thibodeaux and his team at GOHSEP clearly intended for this app to serve as a lifeline for people when they need it most.

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