Was Your COOP Prepared for COVID-19?

Was Your COOP Prepared for COVID-19?

If you weren’t prepared for COVID-19, it will be critical to get a well-designed and functional Continuity of Operations Plan (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.

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.

Is Your COOP Electronic Format or On Stacks of Paper in a Folder?

This COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of why your COOP should be in an electronic format that is easily accessible. It could be saved to a website that is accessible with an internet connection, and it could be saved to a thumb drive in case the internet is down.

Regardless, this current working from home environment is a great example of why you should have your COOP in an electronic, easily accessible format.

Do You Need Help Updating Your Coop?

We can help! We have a team or professionals that includes the software needed to build and store your COOP.

Reach out to Joe Myers or Linda Berry with questions about writing or updating your COOP!