Washington, DC- Kay Coles James, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), announced that emergency guides for the federal workforce have been downloaded 675,000 times since being released in March 2003 and 18,000 copies have been printed.

James stated, "Federal department and agency managers have a fundamental responsibility to protect employees in the event of potential man-made or natural emergencies.  I am encouraged that both Federal managers and employees are continuing their efforts to educate themselves on the preparations necessary to help mitigate consequences to their colleagues and families should an emergency situation arise."  Guides designed for managers, employees and employee families can be found at the web address, www.opm.gov/emergency."

In March 2003, OPM released emergency guides to provide direction to Federal employees and managers on general steps they can take to protect themselves from a potential biological, chemical, or radiological event and spelled out the responsibilities of the Federal Government and individual agencies to protect employees. In addition to the guides for Federal employees and managers, OPM also produced a national and DC-specific emergency preparedness guide for families.

Last August, OPM updated the employee's and manager's emergency guides to provide guidance on telework arrangements, designation of emergency personnel and shelter in place protocols.

The guides provided a basis for emergency preparedness seminars OPM conducted last year to train 595 emergency professionals from 130 federal agencies, components, and State and local officials. Seminars were conducted in Washington, DC, Boston and New York City.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.