The City’s disruption and crisis communication
The City's disruption and crisis communications are properly implemented. However, not all exercises have been organised as planned due to the disruptions and crises that have occurred. The methods of communication with the authorities in the Social Services, Healthcare and Rescue Services Division are appropriate.
The goal of the assessment
The main question of the assessment was whether the City’s disruption and crisis communication is properly organised. The assessment examined whether the coordination responsibilities of the City Executive Office in the field of disruption and crisis communication are defined and whether these responsibilities are functional. It also looked at whether appropriate procedures have been established for communication with the authorities in the event of an incident or crisis in the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division, and whether training and exercises on incident and crisis communication are organised on a regular basis.
Conclusions
The City’s disruption and crisis communication is properly organised, but crisis communication simulations have not been organised annually in accordance with the disruption and crisis communication guidelines. Internal coordination responsibilities and cooperation within the City have been implemented in accordance with the City’s crisis management model and the guidelines for disruption and crisis communication. The City’s communication policy is that the person with management responsibility is generally responsible for communication. Internal communication cooperation within the City is perceived to be working well. The Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division has appropriate processes in place for communication with the authorities and communication guidelines in the event of disruptions and crises. If necessary, a crisis team will be set up to manage the recovery from disruption and crisis situations and to improve communication. The City has been an active participant in exercises organised by other bodies, while the divisions have organised smaller exercises.
Recommendations of the Audit Committee
The City Executive Office and the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division must
- ensure that disruption and crisis communication exercises are organised regularly.
The City Executive Office must
- ensure that cross-divisional disruption and crisis communication exercises are organised regularly.
The Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division must
- ensure that adequate deputy staff arrangements are in place, including in the event of a long-term disruption or crisis affecting the division.