Guidrys Have Leading Roles in Deepwater Horizon Response
On 20 April 2010 the Transocean oil rig Deepwater Horizon being operated by BP Oil exploded and caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 42 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. Of the 126 people on board the rig at the time of the explosion, seventeen were severely injured and eleven were killed. After a second explosion on 22 April the rig sank to the ocean floor resulting in a major oil leak into the Gulf of Mexico. Officials estimate that oil is flowing into the Gulf at a rate between 1.5 million and 2.5 million gallons per day. Two Louisiana officials leading the response actions to the spill are Roland J. Guidry, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator, and Dr. Jimmy Guidry, Louisiana Medical Director and State Health Officer.
Roland Guidry directs the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office - the mission of which is to provide innovative leadership and coordination in oil spill prevention, planning, response and natural resource damage assessment for the State of Louisiana. Roland is working directly with Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen in overseeing and directing the response actions and natural resource assessments associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Dr. Jimmy Guidry as the State Health Officer for Louisiana is responsible for investigating health issues that may impact the public and workers and developing strategies to combat diseases and other health issues in Louisiana. Dr. Guidry and his staff are investigating complaints of illnesses from oil cleanup workers, determining if public and worker health are being negatively impacted by the oil spill and its response activities and developing strategies to minimize any negative impacts.
Roland Guidry currently serves as Oil Spill Coordinator for the state of Louisiana. He has held this position since 1992. Prior to his appointment as Coordinator, he served as an elected member of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission for fifteen years, eight years as the Vice President.For over thirty years, he made his livelihood from Louisiana's abundant natural resources. First, he trapped and fished for a living. Then, as owner of a marine towing business, he worked in various types of oil related activities, ranging from drilling and exploration to transportation of crude oil and other hydrocarbons. As Oil Spill Coordinator, Mr. Guidry received a Public Service commendation from the United States Coast Guard for his participation in the Coast Guard negotiated rulemaking process and Certificate of Merit for his contributions during the Westchester Oil Spill in November 2000. Mr. Guidry has been designated by the Govemor of Louisiana as the lead state trustee for assessing natural resources damages under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Additionally, Mr. Guidry serves as the primary state representative on the Region VI Regional Response Team for oil spill related matters, and has served on three different Area Committees designated under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. He has attended a Training Workshop on Oiled Bird Rehabilitation, successfully completed Oil Spill Response Training with the United States Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team, and has completed a Hazardous Materials/Waste Training program certified by Louisiana State University. He has also completed an On-scene Coordinator Crisis Management Course by the United States Coast Guard Reserve Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia, an Inland Oil Spill Control Course at Texas A&M University, and the Qualified Individual Training Program OPA 90 from Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay, MA. Mr. Guidry serves on several state wide committees including the BTNEP and Clean Gulf Conference Committee. Mr. Guidry has been a staunch advocate for preserving our coastal wetlands and is actively involved in the restoration and conservation of Louisiana's barrier islands as a comprehensive oil spill prevention measure. Roland Guidry, age 70, married to LouAnna Crosby for over 48 years. They have four children and eight grandchildren. They reside in Cut Off, LA and Roland works in Baton Rouge.Roland graduated from Larose Cut Off High School in 1954 and also served in the United States National Guard for eight years. He started researching the Guidry family history in the late sixties. Roland's hobbies are hunting, fishing, cooking, reading, carpentry and story telling.
Jimmy Guidry, MD , is currently the State Health Officer of Louisiana, and also serves as the Medical Director for the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Prior to this, Dr. Guidry served as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health from October 1996 through January 2000, and as Medical Director of the Acadian Region from April 1990 through April 1991. In addition, Dr. Guidry served as Director of Adolescent Services at LSU School of Medicine, Pediatric Department, Earl K. Long Hospital from January 1985 to March 1990. He also worked in Pediatric Private Practice from July 1981 through December 1984.
Dr. Guidry presently chairs various task forces, including the DHH Obesity Task Force, the Child Death Review Panel, and the Governor’s Task Force on Tuberculosis.
He has received numerous awards and honors. He is well respected among his peers and is sought-after for many speaking engagements. He also represents the state of Louisiana at many medical and environmental engagements across the country.
He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Southwestern in 1974, earned his doctorate from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1978, and completed his residency at Earl K. Long Hospital in 1981. He has been Board Certified since 1984 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Guidry has a strong interest in the medical care of the citizens of Louisiana and works diligently towards the delivery of services in our state.