Development of a consistent system of planning actions and responding to crisis situations is delayed. NIK identified indolence at all administrative levels – starting with communes through poviats and provinces, ending up with the central level. When a single element is delayed in such a complex system others are delayed as well. What makes the situation even worse is that some of the existing partial plans (it refers to all administration levels) contain errors or do not include necessary information. Besides, NIK found that some of the crisis management plans of communes and poviats were incompatible with other plans. And that is crucial, especially in case of protection against natural disasters.
Until now no homogenous list of facilities, installations, machines and services critical for the security of the state and its citizens as well as nationwide plan of their protection has been developed. Only one in sixteen Province Governors (the Governor of Łódź Province) has created the critical infrastructure protection plan[1]. NIK also identified significant negligence cases in terms of training for persons involved in crisis management. Communes had the poorest results in that respect.
According to NIK, the issue of insufficient financing of flood protection infrastructure needs to be solved urgently. Province Marshalls notified the NIK auditors of its poor technical condition and growing modernisation needs. The experience of repeating floods clearly shows how important it is to keep flood banks, natural watercourses, channels, pumping stations and dams in a good state.
NIK confirmed that measures taken by the administration with regard to the flood of 2010 in most cases had been adequate and effective. A range of good practices were identified in Province Offices during the audit which increased effectiveness of anti-crisis measures.
[1] Critical infrastructure - facilities, installations and services critical for the security of the state and its citizens.
