IS-546 Continuity of Operations (COOP) Awareness Course

Lesson 3: COOP Impacts

Lesson Overview

Regardless of how well prepared you or your agency are for a COOP situation, an event serious enough to warrant activation of a COOP plan will have adverse impacts. This lesson will describe those impacts and how to prepare for them.

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

Identify the impacts that a COOP situation will have on the organization, you, and your family.
Describe steps you can take to minimize those impacts.

COOP Impacts on the Organization

The severity of the impacts from a COOP situation will depend on the nature and severity of the emergency and could range from a little to a lot.

Normal lines of direction and control may be disrupted.
Normal operations will be disrupted for a brief time or until reconstitution is completed after the emergency ends..
Normal security arrangements will be disrupted and the organization could be vulnerable to additional disruptions until the COOP site is activated and all employees get home or to a safe location.
Normal communications links and methods will be disrupted until the COOP site is up and running and reconstitution is complete.

A comprehensive COOP capability will minimize those impacts.

COOP Impacts on You and Your Family

A COOP situation also will affect you and your family:

There will be a period of uncertainty about what is happening, how bad the situation is, and what you should do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
You may feel unsure of your job security, especially if the COOP situation is severe.
You may also be concerned for your financial well-being, wondering if and how soon you will be paid.

A comprehensive COOP plan that includes a family support plan will minimize these impacts.

Components of a COOP Family Support Plan

There are several key components of a COOP family support plan.

Personnel accountability procedures. Upon COOP activation and throughout COOP operations, supervisors should account for their subordinates and stay informed of employee status.
Information dissemination plan. The agency's COOP plan should include a call-in number where employees can call to receive information. The plan should also provide for two-way communication between ERG members and their families.
Assistance in developing family emergency plans. Family support planning in advance of an emergency will help all employees and their families know what to do.
Information about services at or near the alternate site.

Developing a Family Emergency Plan

Developing a family emergency plan is important for any emergency, not just COOP. As a minimum, a family emergency plan should include:

Contact and communications information.
An immediate emergency checklist that includes medical, financial, and legal information and other important documents.
Supplies, including medications, for at least 72 hours.