With up to 10,000 sandbags ready for deployment, gas filled generators on standby and ham radios tested and buzzing to life, Parish President Kevin Davis has one quick message for constituents this hurricane season: We’re ready,”he said.

Davis and dozens of staff members touted their hurricane preparedness capabilities from the War Room in Covington’s Emergency Operations Center off Boston Street Tuesday.

Up to 150 first responders, including faith-based organizations, Cleco, fire departments and law enforcement officers, will sleep, eat and direct emergency rescue operations from the three-story center. “I’m just hoping we don’t have to come here,” Davis said.

Davis rattled off a few protective measures implemented this year, including a multi-million dollar communications room that boasts seven forms of communications, including Ham radio, and if one outlet is severed another will be available.

He also has plans to station heavy machinery in Folsom, Covington, Hickory north of Pearl River, and elsewhere with high ground for immediate deployment.

And for the first time in St. Tammany Parish history, hurricane response officials have a satellite trailer. The trailer, capable of accessing Internet when all other communications has failed, was funded with a grant.

“If we’re not better prepared than last year then we aren’t doing our job,” said St. Tammany Parish Director of Homeland Security Dexter Accardo.

And with 15 named hurricanes expected for the season beginning June 1 through November, emergency preparedness officials have added what could be the most valuable resource this year – open stores.

Businesses such as Rouses, Walgreens and Shell are among more than a dozen companies that have partnered with St. Tammany Parish government to guarantee store openings within two days of a storm to fill needs such as medications, gas, food and supplies. Parish officials in return will grant permitting for employees to live in trailers and mobile homes at the work sites.

Not all partnering businesses are yet identified, he said. Once complete, parish officials will make the list public.

While Davis said his staff are “preparing for the worst,” he urged area residents to do the same.

“My biggest concern is loss of life,” he said. “We’ll take care of their property. They need to leave.”

During Hurricane Katrina, he guesstimated less than half of residents evacuated. He urged residents this year to pack an evacuation kit, devise an escape plan and leave.