As a result of the recent deepwater rig oil spill and explosion, the Louisiana National Guard has deployed troops to Cameron Parish to assist in building a barrier to protect the area's wetlands, wildlife and beaches from the impending threat of oil. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will serve a supporting role in ensuring that soldiers of the battalion are provided with hospital services in the event that the operation yields a situation that the National Guard's field hospital is unequipped to handle, a routine coordination that occurs when the National Guard conducts operations in an area.

According to Janie Fruge', Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at WCCH, the hospital has notified its doctors and nursing staff about the National Guard's operations in Cameron parish. "Our hospital staff has been briefed on the support that we will provide to the National Guardsmen in the event of any adverse occurences. While we do not anticipate that there will be any issues surrounding the National Guard's operations, we are more than adequately prepared to handle any medical issues that may present themselves,” stated Fruge'.

The Louisiana National Guard is erecting a HESCO barrier on an eight mile stretch of Cameron Parish, near Holly Beach. The HESCO barrier is a more advanced, enhanced version of a sand-bagging effort that is useful in events such as the current oil threat. For more information on the National Guard's efforts, please call (318) 641-5600. For more information on West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital's support role in these operations, please call (337) 528-4735.