This chapter provides guidance and a framework for building a continuity foundation and capability that is coordinated with partners and stakeholders.
Step 1: Identify and Prioritize Essential Functions
- Federal Continuity Directive 2 provides direction and guidance to federal executive branch departments and agencies on validating Mission Essential Functions and Primary Mission Essential Functions. This includes conducting a Business Process Analysis.
- The Business Process Analysis (BPA) and a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) Users Guide helps whole community continuity stakeholders conduct a BPA and BIA.
- The Continuity Risk Toolkit supports stakeholders in conducting risk analysis for their continuity programs.
- Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Hazard mitigation planning includes identifying risks and vulnerabilities and developing long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events.
- The Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is a four-step common risk assessment process that helps the whole community understand its risks and estimate capability requirements.
- Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 201 outlines the four-step process for conducting a THIRA.
- The DHS Risk Lexicon from the DHS Risk Steering Committee provides a comprehensive list of terms relevant to the practice of homeland security risk management and analysis.
Step 2: Identify Mitigation Options
- The Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 requires federal executive agencies to incorporate telework into continuity plans.
- The Continuity of Operations Telework Planning brochure outlines telework considerations in continuity planning.
- The two-hour IS-551 Devolution Planning online course provides tools and practical knowledge necessary to develop an organization’s devolution plan and procedures.
- The Devolution Planning Template provides a structure and recommended content for developing a devolution plan or annex.
- Within NIMS, the National Mutual Aid System is built upon the integration of all types of mutual aid into a single system.
Step 3: Identify Key Elements
- Continuity planners and managers need to consider common accessibility measures such as ensuring electronic materials are compliant with Section 508 - Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
- Redundant data management software applications and equipment should protect sensitive and personally identifiable information, following requirements in the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
- Get important information regarding essential records and their role in continuity planning in the Continuity of Operations Essential Records brochure.
- The Wireless Priority Service provides national security and emergency preparedness personnel priority access and prioritized processing in all nationwide and several regional cellular networks.
- The Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) provides emergency access and priority processing in the local and long distance segments of the Public Switched Telephone Network.
- The Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) authorizes national security and emergency preparedness organizations to receive priority treatment for vital voice and data circuits or other telecommunications services.
Step 4: Plan and Implement Options and Elements
- FEMA provides a continuity plan template and instructions for non-federal entities and community-based organizations and federal agencies.
- The four-hour IS-545 Reconstitution Planning Workshop online course assists organizations with developing an effective and comprehensive reconstitution plan.
- The Reconstitution Plan Template provides a structure and recommend content for developing a reconstitution plan.
- Review guidance in the Continuity Planning for Pandemics and Widespread Infectious Diseases brochure.
Continue on to Chapter 3: Maintaining a Capability.
Or return to the Continuity Guidance Circular landing page.