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Continuity of Operations Planning Toolkit

COOP Toolkit Home • COOP Resources • Lessons Learned • COOP Steering Committee • COOP Funding • COOP Contacts • Institutions of Higher Education COOP Resources • Local Government COOP Resources • Pandemic Influenza COOP Annex

COOP Toolkit

NEW: Revised COOP Planning Manual, Template and Worksheets available in the COOP Resources section.

Continuity of Operations ensures the stability of essential functions through a wide range of emergencies and disasters. Today’s changing threat environment and recent natural and man-made emergencies demonstrate the need for COOP capabilities and plans at the local, state and federal levels.

Executive Order 7 (2002) directed all executive branch agencies to prepare emergency response plans or update existing plans that address the continuity of their operations and the security of their customers and employees in the event of natural or man-made disasters or emergencies, including terrorist attacks.

In addition, Executive Order 69 (2004) required all executive branch agencies to exercise and test their COOP Plans on or before Sept. 1, 2005.

§ 44-146.18 of the Code of Virginia (2005) places VDEM in charge of providing guidance and assistance to state agencies and local governments in developing and maintaining COOP programs, plans and systems.

Executive Order 44 (2007) requires that each executive branch agency including institutions of higher education with guidance from their Emergency Coordination Officer:

1. Create or update Continuity of Operation Plans to conform to the template produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and
   
2. Utilize the resources available from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for creating or updating Continuity of Operations Plans.

The process of creating or updating Continuity of Operations Plans shall be completed by April 1 of each year, with an electronic copy sent to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

VDEM created the COOP Toolkit to help achieve the objectives of COOP planning and to provide guidance through the seven-phase planning process.