The aspect of homeland recovery entails the respondent's and the recovering measure undertaken in response to both man-made and natural disasters, for instance, terrorist attacks. Thus, this significantly entails the process of recovery and response of returning to normalcy. The continuity of planning operations (COOP) refers to the initiative that makes sure that the agencies and departments of the federal government have the capability of undertaking the continuity of their essential functions operations within an extensive range of circumstances that comprise of all-hazard emergencies, also the aspect of technological, human-made, and natural threats with subject to national security emergencies. The current threat environment has established the element of COOP planning to be more critical (Fulmer, 2015).
Phases of COOP
The continuity of planning operations (COOP) has four phases that include the readiness and preparedness phase, activation and relocation phase, continuity facility operations phase and the final phase, which is the reconstitution phase. The first phase of the continuity of planning operations (COOP) is referred to as the readiness and preparedness phase. Here readiness can best be described as the organization’s ability in responding to a continuity event. Phase one entails all agency continuity activities with regards to readiness and preparedness. The second phase of the continuity of planning operations (COOP) is the activation and relocation phase. This phase presents an explanation of procedures of activation with regards to continuity of operations plan the procedures for reallocation to the continuity facility from the primary facility. The third phase of the continuity of planning operations (COOP) is the continuity of operations. This phase presents an identification of initial arrival procedures alongside operational procedures for the purposes of essential functions continuation. The final phase of The continuity of planning operations (COOP) is the phase of reconstitution of operations this entails the identification and outlining of a plan by the organization to return to normalcy (Rossitto et al., 2014).
The continuity of planning operations (COOP) is a significant business practice since planning is mandated with fostering recovery and the concept of survival with regards to situations of after emergencies. The continuity of planning operations (COOP) addresses an all-hazards emergencies approach. The continuity of planning operations (COOP) establishes guidelines and policies that make sure there is the continuity of critical functions and also ensure the reallocation of resources and personnel in the facility to alternate the occurrence of emergencies. The continuity of planning operations (COOP) should develop procedures in relation to alerting, notification, activation and employees' deployment. Secondly, identification of critical business functions and the establishment of an alternate facility. Lastly, the continuity of planning operations (COOP) should develop procedures for rostering personnel who comprise the knowledge and authority with regards to the functions. The creation of the continuity of planning operations (COOP) entails a team effort which is guided by a process (Snedaker, 2011).
The elements of having a continuity capability that is viable with regards to the continuity of planning operations (COOP) include consisting of the essential functions, having an outlined order of succession, authority delegation, continuity facilities, continuity communications, implementing the concepts of vital management of records. Also, the human capital is fundamental in the continuity of planning operations (COOP) alongside control and direction devolution, testing, training, and exercising and finally reconstitution (Transportation security: Continuity of operations (COOP) planning guidelines for transportation agencies, 2005).
Readiness and preparedness
This is the first phase of the continuity of planning operations (COOP). This concept of readiness can best be described as the organization's ability to responding to a continuity event. Phase one entails all agency continuity activities with regards to readiness and preparedness. The preparation and preparedness phase involves focusing on systems and activities that have an assurance of the organization's ability with regards to responding to readiness can best be described as the organization's ability in responding to a continuity event. Phase one entails all agency continuity activities with regards to readiness and preparedness event. This phase focuses on the organization with regards to the preparedness of the department, the educational events and the warning methods or systems. The second area of concentration in this phase of readiness and preparedness is the staff which entails focusing on department seminars, leadership addresses, sessions of information based on working lunch, among others (Fulmer, 2015).
The readiness and preparedness phase of the continuity of planning operations (COOP) consists of all activities that entail organizational continuity with regards to readiness and preparedness, for instance, the aspect of planning development, the review process, and the revision. Secondly, the testing, training, and exercising (TT & E), and the concept of risk management. The readiness posture can tie the concept of readiness and preparedness to the aspect of real-world threats and events. This can be done through the increment of testing, training, and exercising (TT & E) this ensures that The continuity of planning operations (COOP) has the capability of essential functions support of operations all system and equipment undertake their tasks as mandated, the deployment of employees to the alternate facility is being conducted at the time stipulated, the concept of infrastructure and supply chain is addressed as outlined, and lastly there is the identification of any deficiencies. Again, the provision of staff alternative facilities. Again, this can be done via the provision of guidance with subject to all the staffs of the developing support plans of families. Last but not least is the Federal agencies within the National capital region following up the continuity of government conditions (COGCON) (Rossitto et al., 2014).
The organizations should ensure full spectrum participation in readiness and preparedness for ensuring essential functions continuity by personnel with regards to all-hazard risk situations. This is with regards to both organizational and staffing readiness and preparedness. Both the organization and the staff must prepare for an event occurrence and continuity. After a phase I one has to move to phase II, which is described as the activation and relocation phase. This phase entails procedures and plans that entail schedules for transferring activities, records, equipment and personnel for the purposes of alternating facilities activation. The phase of readiness and preparedness in The continuity of planning operations (COOP) should consist of planned tests that are scheduled, training and exercises and also the aspect of after-action reports (Fulmer, 2015).
References
Fulmer, K. L. (2015). Business continuity planning: A step-by-step guide with planning forms. Rothstein Publishing.
Rossitto, C., Ciolfi, L., Martin, D., & Conein, B. (2014). COOP 2014 - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on the design of cooperative systems, 27-30 May 2014, nice (France). Springer.
Snedaker, S. (2011). Business continuity and disaster recovery planning for IT professionals. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Transportation Security: Continuity of operations (COOP) planning guidelines for transportation agencies. (2005). Transportation Research Board.
Readniess & Preparedness
Activation & Relocation
Continuity operations
Reconsititution