Emergency Management Continuity of Operations Planning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning?
- To document all staff evacuation procedures
- To ensure an organization can perform essential functions during an emergency (Correct answer)
- To establish mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions
- To train employees in first aid and CPR
Correct answer: To ensure an organization can perform essential functions during an emergency
COOP planning ensures organizations can continue performing their essential functions during and after a wide range of emergencies or disruptions.
Question 2: Which federal directive establishes continuity planning requirements for executive branch departments and agencies?
- The Robert T. Stafford Act
- FEMA CPG 101
- NSPD-51/HSPD-20 (Correct answer)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Correct answer: NSPD-51/HSPD-20
NSPD-51/HSPD-20 established national policy on continuity of government and operations for executive branch departments and agencies.
Question 3: According to Federal Continuity Directive 1 (FCD-1), how quickly must an organization resume essential functions after COOP plan activation?
- Within 24 hours
- Within 48 hours
- Within 6 hours
- Within 12 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Within 12 hours
FCD-1 requires federal executive branch organizations to resume essential functions within 12 hours of COOP plan activation.
Question 4: In COOP planning, 'Orders of Succession' refers to:
- The sequence in which employees are evacuated during an emergency
- The prioritized list of alternate facilities to use during a crisis
- A predetermined sequence of officials authorized to assume leadership if primary leadership is unavailable (Correct answer)
- The order in which notifications are sent to government officials during a disaster
Correct answer: A predetermined sequence of officials authorized to assume leadership if primary leadership is unavailable
Orders of Succession designates who will assume authority when normal leadership is absent, ensuring continuity of leadership throughout an emergency.
Question 5: What does 'Delegation of Authority' mean in the context of COOP planning?
- Assigning routine tasks to lower-level employees during normal operations
- Pre-authorization for specific individuals to make legally binding decisions when senior leadership is unavailable (Correct answer)
- Transferring an organization's functions permanently to another agency
- Legal authority granted to first responders at an emergency scene
Correct answer: Pre-authorization for specific individuals to make legally binding decisions when senior leadership is unavailable
Delegation of Authority pre-authorizes specific individuals to make decisions and take actions normally reserved for senior leadership during emergencies.
Question 6: How long must a COOP plan be capable of sustaining essential functions per federal standards?
- At least 7 days
- At least 14 days
- At least 60 days
- At least 30 days (Correct answer)
Correct answer: At least 30 days
FCD-1 requires organizations to sustain essential functions for up to 30 days or until normal operations can be safely resumed.
Question 7: Which element of a COOP plan identifies and protects documents and data critical to performing essential functions?
- Continuity Communications
- Human Capital Management
- Vital Records Management (Correct answer)
- Orders of Succession
Correct answer: Vital Records Management
Vital Records Management identifies, protects, and ensures access to essential records needed to perform essential functions and reconstitute operations.
Emergency Management Continuity of Operations Planning 1
What is the primary purpose of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning?