Division of Emergency Management fails to secure emergency plans

A legislative audit today showed the state Division of Emergency Management has failed to secure plans from cities, counties, hotels and schools on how they would react in emergencies or keep track of equipment they would use during disasters.

Legislators reacted with disbelief to the audit findings, with Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, pointing out that the agency’s mission is to reduce the effect of disasters by planning the appropriate response and recovery efforts. “

"Why do you call yourself emergency management when you cannot do ordinary daily work?” asked Assembly John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain.

Deputy Emergency Management Chief Kamala Carmazzi said her agency is hampered because hotels and schools have been unwilling to give their emergency plans to the state and by the lack of employees to do the needed work.