Better, faster, and more prepared.  That's what Governor Bobby Jindal is saying about the state and federal government's response if a major storm were to hit Louisiana.  Regardless of Gustav's track, Jindal says the state will feel the storm.

"This could affect Louisiana's entire coast."

Thursday Jindal, with the FEMA Administrator David Paulison to his left, and the Federal Government's Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff to his right, tried to send a unified message in the midst of a possible hit from Gustav: Louisiana is prepared.

"I've sent a National Guard communication team with satellite radio capability to our coastal parishes."

Many of those troops have already been deployed to Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines,  Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.  Three thousand members of the National Guard have already been put on alert, with more now on the way.

"Today we've alerted an additional 2,000 guardsmen to also be ready to be called up," said Jindal.

The governor says it's all part of a larger effort to keep communication fluid between storm-effected communities and the state and federal government.

"Things that happened after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, are now happening before the storm makes landfall," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison.

According to Jindal, 640 ambulances have been ordered, 1,200 evacuation buses are on standby, and the state has enough food and water for at least 350,000 people.

"What you're seeing is an entire cultural change on how this emergency system is going to work in this country," said Paulison.

That's a major shift from what happened three years ago, where a delayed federal response following Hurricane Katrina left thousands without food or shelter for days.  Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says the bureacratic red tape that caused the Katrina disaster has since been cut, allowing the federal government to act, and act fast.

"If there is a need to have supplementation and the governor requires it, then they will be in a position to respond very promptly.

Jindal says those with critical needs could begin to be bused out of coastal areas as early as tomorrow.  Evacuations would then continue through the weekend with contraflow possibly beginning as early as Saturday, according to Jindal.  The governor, however, is quick to point out the plan could very well change depending on Gustav's track and intensity in the coming hours and days.