Continuity of Operations Planning

Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) is an effort to ensure continuity of critical/essential functions across a wide range of potential emergencies. We have developed many COOP plans for state and local government organizations across the country. We have extensive experience with legal/regulatory requirements and current legislation affecting COOP plans.

COOP Planning Process Objectives
  • Ensure ongoing performance of critical/essential functions during an emergency
  • Reduce or mitigate disruptions to operations
  • Protect critical/essential facilities, equipment, records and other assets
  • Reduce loss of life
  • Minimize damage/losses
  • Secure alternate location(s) for critical/essential functions
  • Achieve timely/orderly emergency recovery and resumption of full services
A viable COOP plan must:
  • Maintain a high level of readiness
  • Implement with and without warning
  • Operate no later than 12 hours after activation
  • Maintain sustained operations for no less than 30 days, or until normal operations can be resumed
  • Take maximum advantage of existing county infrastructures
     
Essential Elements of a COOP Plan
  • Delineate essential functions/activities/interdependencies and have the resources to perform them
  • Determine line of succession for key department positions
  • Maintain rosters of personnel to implement the COOP plan
  • Identify alternate operating facilities and relocation procedures, including work from home, virtual office, etc.
  • Identify phase up and phase down operations for the COOP plan
  • Determine notification procedures (employees, contractors, vendors, etc.)
  • Provide ongoing incident assessment guidelines to ensure the COOP plan is responsive to government’s needs
  • Implement periodic training and process updates
  • Test the plan with a tabletop exercise