Continuity of Operations Plan

Administrative Procedure 3.602

Policy 

It is the policy of ECC that each department will maintain and update its individual continuity of operations (COOP) plan. In the event of a disruption or emergency (as described in the College Emergency Operations Plan) that impedes the continuation of normal business operations, the continuity of operations plan will be referenced and executed. The COOP plan will cover training and resources that must be maintained so that the COOP plan may be executed at the time of disruption or emergency. 

Types of Disruption 

Each department’s COOP plan will address the following disruptions: 

• Loss of People - loss of individuals who directly or indirectly support a given process, function, department, product, or system. 
• Loss of Things - such as electronic, digital assets, and physical resources. 
• Loss of Locations - a physical environment in which departments perform their work using things they need. They are reserved for space and environmental requirements (water, power, security, temperature) that people and things must occupy in order to support a given service. 

Capabilities 

Each department’s COOP plans will cover the following preparedness efforts: 

• Resources - physical assets required to provide or recover services, such as equipment, hardware, software, locations, staffing, supplies, and vital records. 
• Procedures - activities, methods, practices, and instructions for the recovery of services, such as assessment, communication, coordination, mobilization, prioritization, and the re-establishment of services. 
• Competencies - characteristics allowing individuals to function throughout recovery, such as fortitude, leadership, shared vision, teamwork, and training. 

Documentation 

An up-to-date COOP plan must be made accessible to department employees (in print and/or digital format). 

Upon completion or update of a department COOP plan, a digital copy of the plan must be submitted to the Emergency Management Department within 30 days. COOP plans will be reviewed on an annual basis by departmental managers. 

Planning Support 

The Emergency Management Department will develop and maintain a department-level planning process to assist departments on campus with developing and maintaining their COOP plans. The Emergency Management Department will support COOP efforts with ongoing training, exercises, and coordination in the event of a disaster or emergency.