Washington, DC - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Dan G. Blair has issued a memorandum to heads of federal agencies and departments regarding the 2005 Emergency Preparedness Survey. Agencies have until April 5 to complete the survey, which for the second year can be completed online.

"It's critically important agencies continue to focus on their emergency preparedness efforts and the safety of federal employees," Blair said. "This is the third annual survey and making it available online not only makes it easier for agencies to complete, but allows us to receive results quicker and more efficiently."

For the third consecutive year, OPM has announced the survey allowing agencies to report on their efforts to plan and prepare for continuity of operations in the event of a man-made or natural emergency. Early last year, OPM developed the Emergency Preparedness Matrix for agencies to report on their state of preparedness. The matrix instructs agencies to review and update their actions in each of the categories listed, such as conducting threat assessments and practicing shelter in place and fire drills regularly, and to provide OPM updates on their progress.

In cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), OPM created Annex H - Human Capital, a subsection of DHS' Federal Preparedness Circular 65, which describes agencies' responsibilities to design, update, and carry out comprehensive plans to take into account and respond to the threats employees are most likely to face.

"Since last year's survey, more guidance has been made available to help agencies protect their employees," said Blair. "We consider the survey a critical component of agencies' emergency preparedness efforts, and rely on the information in planning substantive governmentwide emergency scenarios."