The 2001 Lake Pontchartrain Training Exercise conducted on 18 August at Mandeville, Louisiana was a very successful event. Over 75% of the member agencies responded as well as participated. Many other non-member agencies were also present to observe the program. This event was monitored, and will be critiqued, by members of the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness, The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals-EMS Division, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division. The results, when obtained, will be examined by the SELSAR leadership, and any deficiencies identified will be passed on to the agencies in order that they may institute corrective measures.

The event also afforded the participants an opportunity to meet personally with their fellow members from several surrounding states, as well as the Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Group New Orleans, and the Special Agent in Charge of F.B.I. New Orleans, as well as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

SELSAR would like to acknowledge the City of Mandeville and Mayor Eddie Price for affording the location for the exercise, as well as the City's Departments of Public Works and Police for a very outstanding job in providing a safe environment in which to conduct this event.

SELSAR exercise 2001 was filmed by the Discovery Channel Network. The airing schedule will be announced at a later date. The event was also videoed by St. Tammany Parish Cable Access as well as SELSAR, for informational and training purposes.

All participants will receive Certificates of Attendance.

SELSAR would like to thank each individual and agency that attended, as well as those member agencies who participated from their offices and Hospitals. By coming together and sharing resources, as well as knowledge, this region of our country is better prepared to meet the needs and expectations of our fellow citizens, should times of crisis and emergency arise. Sharing the resources and the knowledge is what makes the difference in our organization and sets us apart from those that choose not to.