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Why is COOP Important?

About

Continuity of Operations planning is a federal initiative to encourage people and departments to plan to address how critical operations will continue under a broad range of circumstances. COOP is important as a good business practice and because the planning fosters recovery and survival in and after emergency situations.
 

A COOP plan addresses emergencies from an all-hazards approach.  A continuity of operations plan establishes policy and guidance ensuring that critical functions continue and that personnel and resources are relocated to an alternate facility in case of emergencies. The plan should develop procedures for:

  • alerting, notifying, activating and deploying employees

  • identify critical business functions

  • establish an alternate facility

  • roster personnel with authority and knowledge of functions
     

Our team will help you create a continuity of operations plan for your department or organization

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Creating a continuity of operations plan is a guided process and a team effort which will draw on your understanding of department operations with Emergency Management’s expertise in preparing for contingencies.

Let's make sure your department and those affected can be prepared in advance by having a continuity of operations plan in place.

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The COOP Planning Team

 

  • Senior Management

  • The department COOP coordinator or point-of-contact

  • The COOP planning team
     

Senior Management ensures that the agency is capable of carrying out each respective function related to COOP. They oversee:

  • Planning for continuity of operations

  • Activating a COOP plan

  • Restarting regular operations

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Agency leaders may delegate many of their responsibilities, but overall accountability remains within their leadership.
 

The COOP Coordinator/POC serves as the agency’s manager for all COOP activities. The Coordinator manages all activities to ensure the agency can perform its critical functions during an emergency.

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An effective COOP Planning team requires a mix of organization professionals and includes members from all levels of management and staff. It also consists of members from various divisions of the organization, including those not directly related to the mission, such as human resources. Team members should act as COOP coordinators for their respective functions, elements or divisions.

 

Things to Consider

 

  • How will plans be implemented, especially when there is no advanced warning?

  • What is necessary to sustain and maintain operations for time periods of up to 30 days?

  • What types of training, testing, and exercises are necessary for personnel, systems, processes, and procedures to ensure the department is ready?

     

Each Continuity of Operations Plan should include information about:

  • The department’s mission statement

  • Critical business functions, prioritized

  • Recovery locations

  • A department organization chart

  • Continuity of authority

  • Essential staff, including their contact information

  • External resources

  • Critical department records

  • Computer inventory

  • Necessary office supplies and furniture

  • Software and IT needs

  • Necessary communication tools

     

Resources to help with COOP Planning
 

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