Continuity of Operations Planning

Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning is one of CHHS’ signature issues. A COOP plan enables an organization to preserve, maintain and/or reconstitute its most essential functions in the event of any disaster or emergency that could potentially disrupt operations and service. CHHS offers both COOP plan management and drafting projects, as well as a DHS/FEMA certified training course on COOP.

Critical Infrastructure Protection Planning

Critical Infrastructure is defined as the physical and virtual systems that are ‘so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety’ (includes major highways, bridges, power plants, public transportation, etc). CHHS has worked with jurisdictions in order to assess risk to specific critical infrastructure sites, assisting in the prioritization of resources and grant funds. Similarly, CHHS has worked to address virtual threats to computerized systems throughout government; this is also known as Cybersecurity.

Exercise, Evaluation & Training

CHHS regularly provides, in conjunction with plan development, training for agency personnel on relevant issues. Training allows plan users to become familiar with various portions of the plan, and their roles and responsibilities therein. CHHS develops personalized exercises (a disaster scenario simulated in a low-stress, discussion based environment) to test each plan it develops. Representatives from government agencies attend these exercises to gain a better understanding of how their plans work. (CHHS walks agency personnel through a mock disaster scenario and asks what they would do at various stages of the disaster from the warning signs through recovery.) Exercises also help identify gaps in the plans, which are then captured in an after-action report, so they can be addressed prior to an actual emergency.

Associated Individuals:

Christina Crue

Interoperability Planning and Program Management

Interoperability plays an important role in emergency management and homeland security planning. Interoperability is the ability of first responders and other emergency management personnel to communicate with each other, both within a jurisdiction and between neighboring jurisdictions, when an emergency occurs. A common problem is the lack of radio interoperability between neighboring jurisdictions’ first responders. CHHS has assisted in identifying gaps in interoperability, and developing solutions to fill those gaps.

Public Health and Hospitals

The field of emergency management now also addresses public health threats such as pandemic flu and bioterrorism. CHHS has worked with numerous public health organizations on issues such as: medical surge planning, legal issues surrounding public health emergencies, and hospital preparedness and response.

Resource Management Planning

Resource Management Planning is preparing for the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when and where they are needed. Addressing resource management problems before a crisis is key to a state or region's short- and long-term response and recovery. CHHS provides the public, private, and non-profit sectors with planning, analysis, and strategic partnership-building in the areas of resource management.

Special Needs and Vulnerable Populations

During any emergency, certain individuals and groups may require additional resources and supplemental planning. Special Needs/Vulnerable Populations may include the following: persons with disabilities, non-English speakers, people without personal transportation, and children and the elderly. CHHS has conducted a National conference focusing on the needs of Vulnerable Populations in an emergency, and is drafting a National Action Plan which provides recommendations to all levels of government on preparing special needs populations for disasters.

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