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Our guest today is Chad Sonnier, Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) for Lafayette Parish.
With over four decades of service in fire protection and emergency response, Chad Sonnier brings unmatched experience to the role of coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector.
“I was 18 years old in the fire service and helping people in their time of need. It is something I’ve really become accustomed to, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I mean, people call 911 at their worst time of day or worst time in their life, and, we’re there to help them, that’s what we’re there for.”
Chad served as City of Scott’s Fire Chief before being named to his current post. He had served with the Lafayette Fire Department for years before his appointment with the City of Scott.
Over the course of his career, Chad has worked as a hazmat technician, fire engineer, fire coordinator, and hazmat chief. In 2020, he was inducted into the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame—a testament to his lifelong passion for public safety.
“Helping people is my passion. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Chad Sonnier shares.
A Newly Formed Office
The department was officially created in 2024 by Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet, who recognized the growing federal and state mandates in emergency management and the need to keep her community safe. It now operates independently of 911 services, with a broader scope that includes emergency responses to events such as hurricanes, mass gatherings like Mardi Gras, hazardous material accidents, and unexpected “no-notice” events such as train derailments.
This year in 2025, for the first time, Lafayette’s Emergency Operations Center partially activated its services during Mardi Gras. Agencies including fire, police, Acadian Ambulance, local hospitals, and even federal partners like the FBI and ATF, worked side by side to ensure public safety. “When you’re face to face in the same room, communications are so much better,” Chad explains.
Beyond Hurricanes: Preparedness in Action
While hurricanes are top of mind for many residents, Chad addressed the wide range of emergencies his office addresses to help those most in need:
- Warming and cooling centers – Established for residents without reliable heating or air conditioning, with help from partners such as Catholic Charities, Red Cross, and even private companies like Stines, which donated large cooling fans.
- Volunteer organizations – Hundreds of volunteers with local nonprofits and faith-based groups (VOADs) play an essential role in long-term recovery. These groups often provide building supplies, roof repairs, and mold remediation for families still suffering from past storms.
- College partnerships – Student-athletes contribute required service hours by assisting disaster victims, creating meaningful community connections.
Chad reflects, “I was taken aback by how many people are willing to help, especially in Lafayette Parish. If it wasn’t for these nonprofits, I don’t know where a lot of people would be today.”
Planning Ahead and Responding Fast
Chad contrasts his years as a firefighter—where speed and immediate action are critical—with the long-term strategic planning required in his current role.
His office scripts hurricane responses a week in advance of landfall, but also prepares in advance for sudden emergencies that occur without warning.
“No-notice events” like hazardous material spills require rapid mobilization of shelters, water, food, and safe housing, often within an hour to ninety minutes. Recreation centers, the Cajundome, and other facilities are pre-designated as shelters or reunification centers, ensuring displaced residents can quickly reconnect with loved ones.
A new IT-driven reunification system allows families to upload identifying details and photos of missing loved ones, giving hospitals and responders immediate access to information during a disaster. “Pictures make all the difference,” Chad emphasizes, noting lessons learned from past Louisiana crises.
Tools, Technology, and Preparedness Tips
OHSEP has adopted cutting-edge technology such as geofencing, which enables targeted emergency alerts to people in specific areas.
Chad encourages all residents to plan ahead for unexpected events by doing the following:
- Sign up for “Lafayette Now” alerts to receive real-time emergency notifications. Visit https://www.lafayettela.gov/communications-media/lafayette-now to sign up.
- Maintain a 3- to 4-day “go bag” with essentials such as food, water, medications, cash, charged power banks, pet supplies, and important documents (protected in waterproof storage).
- Remember critical medical needs like insulin storage and access to dialysis centers, which are prioritized in disaster planning.
Chad also underscored the importance of taking care of pets in family safety plans: “We’ve learned that pets are just as important as children or spouses. Our shelters provide space, food, and water for pets so families can stay together.” Shelters are equipped with spaces for your beloved pets and food to sustain them (Look up quote from download)
Volunteers and Community Resilience
Lafayette Parish’s ability to recover depends on volunteers, but Chad points out that many leave with their families during evacuations, cutting the available workforce in half. He encourages listeners to get involved through Acadiana VOAD, choosing from opportunities to assist with sheltering, food distribution, or recovery efforts.
A Personal Note
Outside of emergency management, Chad and his wife enjoy traveling in their motorhome in their free time. He recalled the rare peace of being disconnected during a cruise they took, joking that his phone “sounded like a slot machine” once it reconnected to a signal as they approached land. He jumped back in to the fray, happy to help those who reached out. Listening to this podcast, you will understand the commitment that Chad Sonnier has to public safety and his job.
Final Thoughts
Chad Sonnier’s commitment to public safety is unwavering. From planning large-scale emergency responses to ensuring Lafayette’s most vulnerable residents have access to shelter and support, his leadership ensures that the parish is prepared for both the expected and the unexpected.
For more information, visit https://www.lafayettela.gov/ohsep/home
