Landry moves emergency preparedness office under Louisiana National Guard
Jacques Thibodeaux, director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Prepareness, addresses the media ahead of Hurricane Francine in September 2024. (Julie O'Donoghue/LAI)
Gov. Jeff Landry announced Thursday he is restructuring the state's disaster response office and folding it into the Louisiana National Guard.
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will now be placed under the authority of National Guard Brig. Gen. Jason Mahfouz, who will serve as GOHSEP's interim director, according to a news release from Landry's office.
Short on details, the governor's announcement described the restructuring as a 'cost savings' measure to cut wasteful government spending. He said the move would save the state millions but did not offer details as to how this would happen.
'We will definitely put some of that info out at a later date,' Landry spokeswoman Kate Kelly said in a text message.
Landry said the change aligns with his belief in relying more on the National Guard for emergency response.
His announcement did not explicitly say whether GOHSEP's current director, Jacques Thibodeaux, will have any future role with the agency or in Landry's administration. Kelly said Thibodeaux would stay with the agency at least until the transition is complete.
Thibodeaux, who retired from the National Guard as a colonel in 2015, was appointed as GOHSEP director shortly after Landry took office. He recently gave an interview to the Illuminator to discuss the fate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Donald Trump's suggestion of 'maybe getting rid of FEMA.'
In his statement, Landry thanked Thibodeaux for his service.
'GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux took on a challenging role and served our state with dedication under difficult circumstances. We deeply appreciate his service,' Landry said.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, the highest ranking member of the Louisiana National Guard, has been instructed to provide oversight and guidance to GOHSEP during the transition, the governor said.
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