Caddo sheriff’s deputies spent Monday readying emergency equipment in the event they are called to assist in south Louisiana, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Equipment acquired after Hurricane Katrina using state and federal grant money has elevated the Caddo Sheriff’s Office to a “self-contained” status, which is both desirable and beneficial to agencies requesting mutual aid.

"We’ve always helped other agencies in need by sending personnel and some equipment during emergencies or disasters,” Prator said, “but being fully self-sufficient with your own communications system, fuel, and housing ensures we are part of the solution and not part of the problem in a disaster-stricken area.”

The Sheriff’s Office has two five-man teams assigned to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association’s Task Force, and they are ready to head south if requested. If either team is deployed they will have at their disposal a satellite communications trailer, a fuel trailer, a travel trailer, two generator trailers, and a mobile communications center.