Feds more prepared for emergencies

OPM report on 2005 Emergency Preparedness Survey Results

Results from the Office of Personnel Management’s annual survey of agencies’ emergency planning efforts reveal higher levels of preparedness compared with a year ago. Responses from 85 organizations, including all 15 Cabinet-level agencies, show what OPM officials say are significant improvements in business continuity planning.

For example, more than 95 percent of agencies surveyed conducted evacuation drills in the past year, 95 percent tested their fire safety and public address systems, 90 percent distributed emergency guides to employees, and more than 75 percent met with employees to discuss risks and contingency plans.

To help safeguard federal workers with disabilities, the Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy created a Web page devoted to emergency preparedness. That Web page, which Labor officials announced last week, is available at www.dol.gov/odep.