Audit finds out-of-date disaster plans
The city lacks an overall strategic plan to respond to an emergency such as an earthquake, fire or other calamity, according to an audit released Monday by City Controller Laura Chick
The audit said that 16 of the city’s 26 emergency preparedness plans have not been updated for at least three years and that one, within the Fire Department, has not been updated since 1992.
“This report says, don’t panic. We’re doing some of the right things, but we could be doing so much more,” Chick said.
The audit found that $200 million in homeland security and public safety grants have been hampered by “weak program management,” with city officials moving slowly to spend the money and failing to assess the performance of grant funds.
Chick also said the city needs to strengthen its ties to the American Red Cross and provide a clearer line of authority within its emergency preparedness operation.
Matt Szabo, spokesman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, agreed that the city’s emergency preparations need “tighter oversight.”
“We’re developing a package of ordinances to address the audit’s concerns,” he said.
-- David Zahniser
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