COG/COOP

A Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) is an effort within individual departments and agencies to ensure that the Primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEFs) continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents, pandemics, and technological or attack-related emergencies.

A comprehensive COOP should include a planning tool with defined processes and detailed information about how to effectively utilize a built-in pandemic module. This tool will identify mission essential functions and employees and establish a plan that allows employees to be functional at the office or remote. Without a defined COOP, inefficiencies and crisis management becomes the focus as opposed to the mission critical services and activities that stakeholders need.

Comprehensive COOPs include:

  • Software to build and store your plan and documents for operations accessible through the internet.

  • Development of a pandemic Hazards/Risk Assessment.

  • Training on preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation actions for a pandemic event.

  • Identification of essential reports to utilize during a pandemic-related disruption.

DSI has provided numerous training sessions, and educated hundreds of local and state first responders on Continuity of Operations Planning, and Continuity of Government procedures. DSI and BOLD Planning Solutions have jointly developed a state of the art COOP/COG planning software that walks each user through the COOP/COG planning process. Providing the necessary training on how to develop and use a COOP or COG plan is a vital capability DSI has.

Each training course discusses the following key elements of any COOP operation:

  • Identification of Essential Functions

  • Identification of Primary and Alternate Facilities

  • Ensuring the safety of vital records and resources

  • Identification of COOP Teams and Responsibilities

  • Delegation of Authorities

  • Communications

DSI and its Associate Members can provide any level of training and education you will need in order to ensure your jurisdiction is ready to implement a COOP or COG operation. Successful plan development and training now will prevent major problems later. 

Were you prepared for COVID-19? If you weren’t, it will be critical to get a well-designed and functional COOP in place for any future disasters. Or, if you already have a COOP in place, it will need to be updated to include lessons learned during this pandemic.