The Office of Personnel Management has released results of
the 2004 federal emergency preparedness survey, saying they
indicate significant increases in agency planning and
preparation as well as identify critical areas for continued
attention.
OPM reported: 65 percent of agencies surveyed reported they
have designated emergency personnel for agency mission
continuity; 60 of the agencies surveyed report having an
updated occupant emergency plan, a 36 percent increase from
2003; 63 percent of agencies have conducted threat
assessments, a 47 percent increase from 2003; 81 percent
of agencies reported ensuring the protection of special
needs employees, a 65 percent increase from 2003; and, 70
percent of surveyed agencies have communicated their
emergency preparedness plans to their employees.
However, OPM said fewer than half the agencies have
practiced shelter-in-place and evacuation fire drills on
a regular basis, and only 43 percent of agencies have a
policy regarding the use of telework during an emergency.
It also found that many agencies have yet to inform
employees and union representatives about security measures.
The subcommittee on emergency preparedness at the Chief
Human Capital Officers Council will review the survey
results further, said OPM, which will host two more
government-wide “trainings.” It did not say when or where
those training sessions would take place.