Washington, D.C. - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently sponsored a meeting focusing on emergency planning and recovery with the Executive Directors of the Federal Executive Boards (FEB) across the country.  With a central focus on the role of the FEB in issues of national security, the conference covered topics such as workplace security and continuity of government.

 "Emergency planning is a priority for the Federal Executive Boards," stated Marta Perez, OPM Associate Director for Division for Human Capital Leadership & Merit System Accountability.  In her closing remarks to the group she added, "A safe environment for employees is the first step - employees must feel comfortable to go about their daily responsibilities in the workplace.  Without that, nothing else you provide matters. That is why OPM is working with the FEBs to provide emergency planning training sessions.  This is a crucial part of what we do." 

At the meeting, Ray Decker, OPM Deputy Associate Director of the Center for National Security, discussed governmentwide and regional emergency preparedness surveys and workplace security.  Brad McDannald from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Robert Hominick of the General Services Administration (GSA) led a training exercise on the Continuity of Operations Plan.  This session was specially designed for the FEB Directors to increase their familiarity with their specific roles in the event of a national security emergency.

Federal Executive Boards were created in 1961 to provide a forum for the exchange of information between Washington and field offices about programs, management strategies and administrative challenges.

With close to 85 percent of the Federal workforce located outside of Washington, the FEBs work to communicate and strengthen the understanding and support of various management initiatives, and are involved in decisions made that affect their service areas. Following floods and other natural disasters, FEBs act as a resource for Federal employees and their families who need flexibility with normal workplace procedures. The FEB is also often the first point of contact for Washington on emergency matters.