‘You failed us’: Richmond City Council calls for accountability from DEC for January water crisis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond City Councilmembers are calling for greater accountability from the city’s emergency response leadership in the wake of the January water crisis.

The demands come after a new incident report presented by the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) at the city public safety meeting on Tuesday, July 22 revealed both strengths and shortcomings in the city's emergency response efforts.

During the meeting, councilmembers voiced frustration with Department Director Stephen Willoughby, criticizing the department’s handling of the crisis and expressing concern about future readiness.

"Stop pulling in very shiny objects and expensive things and start actually doing the hard work,” said Councilmember Sarah Abubaker of the 4th District.

Councilmember Reva Trammell of the 8th District was more direct, saying, “I think you failed us. You failed us council members and the citizens of Richmond.”

Willoughby presented a follow-up report outlining eight critical areas with at least three recommendations each from a third-party evaluator. He assured councilmembers that all recommendations are being accepted and implemented. He added that the department prioritized transparency during the emergency.

However, the report highlighted serious vulnerabilities, including breakdowns in communication systems, weak coordination between agencies and the lack of a dedicated Emergency Operations Center. Currently, the city’s emergency center is housed in the basement of a library.

“It requires about an hour and a half at best, if not two hours, to pull equipment out of the closet in the back and set that room up,” Willoughby acknowledged.

Councilmember Abubaker stressed the importance of acknowledging past failures and building a stronger emergency response culture moving forward.

“You can spend all the money you want on software and fancy technology. But if the people in the process and quite frankly, the culture isn't built, then we're not going to get anywhere,” she said.

Councilmembers said Willoughby will return in September to present further on lessons learned and the department’s preparedness plans for future emergencies.