Fiscal Year 2004 Performance and Accountability Report Published November 15, 2004
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FY 2004 Obligation ($ in Millions) |
% of Total VA Resources |
Strategic Goal 4: Contribute to the public health, emergency management, socioeconomic well-being, and history of the Nation. |
$1,039 |
1.5% |
Objective |
Performance Results
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4.1 Improve the Nation's preparedness for response to war, terrorism, national emergencies, and natural disasters by developing plans and taking actions to ensure continued service to veterans as well as support to national, state, and local emergency management and homeland security efforts. |
- 100 percent of Group 1 emergency preparedness officials received training or, as applicable, participated in exercises relevant to VA's COOP plan on the national level (goal was 85 percent)
- 42 percent of Group 2 emergency preparedness officials received training or, as applicable, participated in exercises relevant to VA's COOP plan on the national level (goal was 75 percent)
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<$1M |
<0.1% |
Performance
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs consolidated the Department's emergency preparedness and security and law enforcement oversight within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Preparedness. Organizationally, the emergency preparedness functions fall under the Director of Operations and Readiness and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Security and Law Enforcement. The office ensures that VA has effective emergency preparedness programs and policies in place across the Nation and oversees the development of effective Continuity of Government and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans for VA. The office acts as the VA liaison on preparedness with other Federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Defense. The office develops, implements, and evaluates preparedness training and exercises. It also assesses the interaction between VA's preparedness plans and those of other Federal, state, and local governments and relief organizations. In addition, the office manages, directs, and ensures readiness and staffing of VA's operations centers, coordinates VA's staffing at other agencies' operations centers, and supports VA's Crisis Response Team. The office maintains the VA-wide police and security program; trains all newly hired VA police officers; protects veterans, visitors, and employees at VA headquarters; provides personal security for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs commensurate with the threat level; and coordinates security background investigations and determines access eligibility to classified information.
During FY 2004 the following emergency management activities were completed:
- Developed individual contingency plans in case of terrorist attack or other disruption for the Super Bowl, State of the Union Address, opening of the World War II Memorial, 4th of July, Democratic National Convention, and Republican National Convention.
- Conducted an internal exercise, called COOPx, as an orientation for senior VA leadership.
- Conducted an internal tabletop COOP exercise for staff at the Department's mirror site.
- Participated in Exercise Forward Challenge, a national exercise designed to test continuity of operations plans. The Department deployed almost 100% of its Continuity of Operations team.
- Participated in Exercise Determined Promise and TOPOFF 3 tabletop exercise.
- Completed procurement of 143 pharmaceutical caches located in medical centers.
- Completed decontamination/hazmat training and equipping of the 78 medical centers determined to be the highest priority. Initiated training and equipping for a second group of approximately 50 facilities - expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2004.
The Department was on track to achieve its goal of training for 75 percent of Group 2 (field) emergency preparedness officials, but the premature departure of senior leaders who had received the training derailed that progress. Permanent replacements are expected to receive the required training in late calendar year 2004.
Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Evaluation
There are no PART evaluations that have been completed, nor are there any planned, that specifically address Objective 4.1.
Major Management Challenges
VA's Office of Inspector General has identified the following issue as a major management challenge related to Objective 4.1:
- Security and safety - research and hospital facilities need to be diligent in maintaining security and physical access controls for areas storing high risk or sensitive materials (more information).
The Government Accountability Office has identified the following issue as a major management challenge related to Objective 4.1:
- Prepare for biological and chemical acts of terrorism - VA determined that it needs to stockpile pharmaceuticals and improve its decontamination and security capabilities (more information).
Program Evaluations
An independent contractor conducted assessments at more than 100 "most critical infrastructure" sites crucial to continuity of Departmental operations or of national importance. These assessments evaluated facility vulnerabilities relating to disaster threats and other major emergencies. Facilities are now addressing some of the vulnerabilities that were identified, and longer term capital improvement projects will help resolve many of the other vulnerabilities.
Another study is underway that will assess the emergency preparedness of VA medical facilities in case of an all-hazards or weapons of mass destruction event. This study is being conducted to provide a comprehensive, independent, and current assessment of our hospital system's capabilities. The study is examining medical center preparation in areas such as pharmaceutical caches, patient capacity, isolation and decontamination, and staffing. The results, expected in 2005, will assist VA in focusing its efforts to improve related policies, programming, and training efforts in our medical centers.
New Policies and Procedures
The Department has re-written its Comprehensive Emergency Management Program to adhere to requirements established in Federal Preparedness Circular 65. This program provides policy and procedures for developing internal continuity of operations plans. It also governs the headquarters test, training, and exercise program, and sets out responsibilities of the Crisis Response Team, a group of representatives within the Department that meets twice weekly, or more often if the need arises, e.g., during hurricane season.
Policies governing the Department's Line of Succession are in place, as are procedures for the Department's participation in its classified Continuity of Government role. The Department has helped draft the forthcoming National Response Plan, which will govern the Department's role as a support agency in times of emergency.
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