Purpose
Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) are intended to guide departments, divisions, and the University as a whole in the continued provisions of critical operations and the reestablishment of business functions during and after a disaster occurs. COOP planning is a critical piece of overall emergency management which encompasses planning, mitigation, response, and recovery from a disaster.
COOPs should, at minimum, address the following disruptions:
- Loss of access to a facility (e.g. structural damage)
- Interruption in service due to a reduced workforce (e.g. pandemic)
- Interruption in service due to equipment or systems failure (e.g. IT systems failure, electric, water, heat)
Scope
Not sure if your department should develop a COOP plan? Does your department have a stake in:
- Academics and instruction
- Student support
- Healthcare
- Research
- Critical business, finance and/or infrastructure operations
All university departments, including satellite facilities outside of Greenville, should participate in COOP planning.
A few examples of departmental essential functions:
- Instruction
- Food service
- Maintaining basic utilities (e.g. sewer, water, electricity)
- Preserving sensitive research materials
- Performing certain fiscal activities
The Office of Internal Audit performs audits of COOP plans annually.
Plan Contents
COOPs are comprised of information which allows an entity to continue business unit essential functions during and after a disaster. Nominally, the duration of a COOP planning period is 30 days or less. A departmental COOP may be comprised of the following components:
- Identification of Essential Functions
- Succession of Leadership
- Delegation of Authorities
- Communications
- Vital Data, Systems and Equipment
- Internal and External Dependencies
- COOP Revision and Maintenance
- Training and Exercise
Process
For assistance developing or updating a COOP for your department, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 328-6166.
The departmental COOP template can be downloaded here.
External Resources
FEMA, Building a Disaster-Resistant University
