Mayor Cara Spencer discusses report on city's tornado response
ST. LOUIS – Mayor Cara Spencer on Tuesday addressed the findings of an external investigation into the city’s response to the May 16 tornado.
The report uncovered what investigators called "multiple cascading failures at almost every level leading up to and even after the storm event."
The mayor said the report will serve as a guidepost to help the city better understand the deeper problems within the emergency management system, adding it’ll be used to resolve the issues identified.
The investigation found the design and orientation of the city's siren equipment made it unnecessarily difficult—if not impossible—to fully activate the siren system during the storm. Ineffective testing protocols prevented city officials from learning about these deficiencies in advance of the storm, the report said.
Investigators pointed to a lack of communication and working relationship between CEMA Commissioner Sarah Russell and both the fire and police departments.
On Tuesday, Mayor Spencer promised the sirens will go off the next time they're needed.
While fielding questions from assembled media, the mayor was asked to react to a section of the report where investigators said they were troubled by Commissioner Russell's refusal during their interview to recognize the multiple failures or to take any personal responsibility for them.
"I am not here to say anything other than what's in the report has merit, you know, and we're moving forward,” Spencer said. "I think in the coming days we will have some clarity on the future of CEMA Emergency Operations."
The external report recommended CEMA needs to be fully staffed as soon as possible.
Spencer said she stands absolutely committed to making sure the city has a more robust emergency management department to move forward in a much more confident manner.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Russell appeared before a disciplinary hearing on Monday. When it concluded, she told FOX 2 News that she still has a job for the time being, but noted the city’s public safety director has 14 days to determine her fate.
