Just Imagine SWLA: From Blue-Sky Days to Hurricanes

Cameron Parish Police Juror, Michael Fewell, Discusses Cameron Parish’s EOC

Built to serve residents every day, Cameron Parish’s new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will provide more than a command post for storms. Designed to serve the community year-round, the facility strengthens preparedness, speeds recovery and builds connections long before the next hurricane arrives, reflecting the community-driven goals outline in the Just Imagine SWLA Community Resilience Hubs catalytic project. 

“The EOC vision was a critical step to Cameron Parish’s broader continual improvement strategy,” says Michael Fewell, Cameron Parish police juror for District 2. “It offers a centralized, well-coordinated command and communication center that can operate under extreme conditions. It can serve as a distribution point for resources and information post-disaster, helping the parish recover faster. And it will act as a focal point for community engagement and everyday activities, which builds social resilience long before the next storm arrives.” 

Fewell says the project was shaped by lessons learned from past storms. “Power and communications failed. People could not get information, charge phones or coordinate help. Services were too far away or damaged. With communities spread out, residents struggled to reach aid and shelter. There were no strong, hardened buildings to serve as local hubs. Many facilities were not built to withstand major storms. Recovery resources were not centralized. Food, water, supplies and help had to be improvised in parking lots and homes. Community connection matters. Neighbors helping neighbors showed the need for gathering spaces that build strength before disasters hit.” 

That local focus extends to how the EOC will be used on non-emergency, or “blue-sky,” days, reflecting the goals of the Just Imagine SWLA Community Resilience Hubs catalytic project to strengthen community engagement and everyday use of public facilities. Fewell described the building as a true community center for Cameron Parish. He said the EOC will host meetings for local groups and nonprofits, educational workshops, preparedness training, health and resource fairs, and activities for youth and seniors. Partnerships with schools, faith-based organizations, volunteer groups, parish agencies and regional nonprofits will help provide regular programming and services, keeping the hub active year-round. 

“This steady use builds trust, strengthens community connections and ensures residents are familiar with the space long before a storm hits,” Fewell says. “That familiarity makes it easier to mobilize quickly for response and recovery when emergencies occur.” 

When disasters do occur, the EOC will operate as a hardened, fully functional command and support center for Cameron Parish, exemplifying the dual-purpose design championed by the Just Imagine SWLA Community Resilience Hubs catalytic project, serving daily community needs while providing critical support during emergencies. Fewell says it will provide emergency coordination, reliable communications, sheltering space, cooling and rest areas, phone and medical device charging, and centralized distribution of food, water and critical supplies. 

“It will serve as the parish’s possible primary coordination point, linking first responders, parish departments, utilities and volunteer groups while maintaining direct communication with regional partners, state agencies and Louisiana’s emergency management system,” Fewell says. 

By combining on-the-ground community support with real-time command and coordination, the new EOC is designed to strengthen response efforts and speed recovery when storms or other emergencies affect Cameron Parish.