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<br />3. Develop response systems capable of carrying out <br />their plans; integrate plans with other potentially <br />involved entities. <br /> <br />-- <br /> <br />4. Test and publicize plans and safety measures; <br />forward a copy of plans to the Division of Disaster <br />Emergency Services so as to better integrate <br />state-local planning. <br /> <br />The high risks described above only emphasize the <br />continued need for local entities to fully adopt the above <br />recommendations and for them to stress mitigation -- partic- <br />ularly zoning (or more broadly, hazard area reduction) to <br />limit settlement in high hazard areas. Many efforts at <br />mitigation are exposed to extreme political pressures -- for <br />development for example. Still, over the long term mitiga- <br />tion is the least expensive means of reducing the costs <br />which will evolve from the events discussed here, <br /> <br />STATE PREPAREDNESS <br /> <br />"---- <br /> <br />Historically, State Government has not demonstrated a <br />deep concern for preparedness against Colorado's very high <br />risk hazards. Prior to 1978 comprehensive Statewide written <br />hazard assessments, plans detailing the roles of State <br />agencies, money to train local and State preparedness <br />officials, Statewide emergency communications or even <br />on-site, full time management of the Division of Disaster <br />Emergency Services were not provided for. At the time of <br />the Big Thompson Flood only a plan oriented on nuclear <br />attack existed in Larimer County; the State Plan was also <br />mainly oriented on nuclear attack. The general approach by <br />the branches of State Government was to utilize as much <br />federal support as possible in prov id ing preparedness for <br />Coloradans, ' <br /> <br />Al though th is pol icy could be described as frugal, it <br />failed to provide Coloradans with the range of support <br />necessary to adequately mitigate, respond to and recover <br />from extreme natural events which could occur at the local <br />level. This area of governmental work was recognized as a <br />developing field and its growth was largely stimulated by <br />federal initiative, Significant state initiative emerged in <br />1979 when a full time management position for the Division <br />of Disaster Emergency Services as well as funds to upgrade <br />State emergency communications and for periodic activation <br />of the State Emergency Operations Center were approved, The <br />Governor also took a strong role by reviewing and strength- <br />ening DODES capabilities. He strongly supported an aggres- <br />sive "on-site" program to improve local preparedness and <br />took a variety of other measures to stimulate progress. <br /> <br />--- <br /> <br />30 <br /> <br />.. -< <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />