A new audit found that the city of Denver is unprepared to continue non-emergency — but essential — services in the wake of a disaster, making it possible that recovery from a man-made or natural disaster could take longer.
“If the worst should happen,” Timothy M. O’Brian, the city’s auditor, said in a release, “Denver needs to be ready to respond to keep city services going. If we faced an extreme weather event, pandemic, terrorist attack or another disaster, we’d need to know Denver could bounce back and continue serving its citizens.”
The audit looked at whether agencies had “continuity of operations” plans that would be effective in the event of an emergency, according to the release.
The audit found 29 out of 69 agencies had not reviewed their plans in 2017. Of those 29, three agencies had not reviewed their emergency plan since 2001. Five agencies did not have a plan at all.
The audit also found there was no training for the agencies on how to write an effective plan.
Insufficient guidance and training could result in longer waits for city agencies to restore vital services.
The plans are created as a guide so each agency’s workers know where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Standards for effective continuity of operations are set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The lack of effective plans could result in increased costs and potential damage to city infrastructure, services and reputation, the release said.