University preparedness
What is COOP?
In 2009, the State of Nevada began Continuity of Operations Planning as part of grant funding through the Nevada Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security.
Continuity of operations (COOP) ensures an individual organization can continue to perform its essential functions, provide essential services, and deliver core capabilities during a disruption to normal operations. The COOP plan could be activated in response to a wide range of events or situations – from a natural disaster to a terrorist attack. Any event that makes it impossible for employees to work in their regular facility could result in the activation of the continuity plan.
University of Nevada, Reno continuity planning
We recommend that units consider the following in continuity planning.
Mission critical functions
What does your unit need to do daily, weekly and monthly in order to ensure the main tasks of the unit continue? These should be prioritized in order of the most important that needs to be restored first. While we all do many things, there are three to five that are the most important that directly relate to why the unit exists.
Contacts
Who do you need to get a hold of to perform functions during an emergency? If it is a person associated with the University of Nevada, Reno, their public info such as email and office phone number is added from Workday. Do you need additional information to be able to reach them after hours? Outside vendors and contractors can be added easily.
Succession plan
Who will be designated and has authority to be in charge if the person who usually is responsible is not immediately available or cannot perform all duties? At least three people should be listed, along with a way to contact them 24/7.
Vital records
What information and records does your unit need to function? Where and how are they stored? Who has access? Is there a backup? This should include all data needed to perform the list of mission critical functions.
Communications
How does your unit plan to contact each other in case of emergency? Will you use email, phone, text? Does everyone know this plan?
Alternative facilities
Is there a location that your unit could relocate to perform its mission critical functions? What would this space look like? Do you need 10 computers with internet access and desks? Could you work from home for two days? Do you need landlines? Other access to software or specialized equipment?
Send an email to the Manager of Organizational Resilience for the University of Nevada, Reno, to obtain a username and password to access NevadaContinuity to build your continuity plan.