Continuity of Government (COG) Exercise Review

Tuesday, September 15th 2015

Outline• Core Capabilities Review• Objectives • Review Exercise Scenario • After Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP)

•Strengths •Areas of Improvements •Action Items

Core Capabilities Review • Information & Intelligence Sharing• Operational Communications • Operational Coordination• Planning

Objectives • Identify essential functions and staff• Ensure a system for direction and control within

the NIMS framework• Activation, alert & notification for the COG Plan• Delegation of Authority and Orders of

Succession, with accompanying authorities• SOPs that provide specific authorities of

designated successors

Objectives continued • Alternative facilities and related infrastructure and

critical communications• Protect all essential resources, records, files,

databases and equipment identified in COOP/COG

• Ensure that leadership and authority is transferred to the alternate facilities

Exercise Scenario • Bomb detonates at CAB • Building was evacuated • Key Leaders were killed with others missing • Radiation was detected by HazMat crews • A large area around the CAB is evacuated• Effected departments activate COOP Plans • 50% residents evacuate• Long Term Clean Up Issues

Strengths • Current COG/COOP Plans • Identified Essential Functions • EOC Readiness • Emergency Notification, Communication Systems• County Attorney role and responsibilities • Department readiness and engagement • Ability to work remotely

Areas of Improvement 1. Extend lines of successions

•Update ordinance to identify position for succession

2. Integrate Incident Command/EOC into COG Plan• ICS Training for executives – ICS 402

3. Participants were not well versed in COG•Provide COG checklists

Areas of Improvement con’t.

4. EM Director should be included in COG implementation •Establish ordinance designating EM Director as CCO

5. Departments need better integration on COOP Plans, Facilities, Training (this is two items) •Form COOP Work Group, integrate plans, SOPs

6. No direct mention of COG activation •Develop COG/COOP groups for notification

Areas of Improvement con’t.

7. Clarity on Delegation of Authority and timing•Create flowchart for decision making and

communications

8. Unified Messaging between BoCC, IC, EOC•Update current plans to include unified messaging

9. Need to ensure operations and communications at alternate facilities •Update/complete facility matrix and ensure

infrastructure

Areas of Improvement con’t.

10. Departments should have Go Kits and essential records management •Through COOP Work Group, share lists and best

practices

11. Future Exercises post improvement implementation•Conduct functional/full scale exercise to re-evaluate

12. Roles and Responsibilities •Through CWG, conduct training on roles

Summary • Two of Eight of Objectives met without challenges• The other six were met but with some challenges • There are thirteen action items

•Four need BoCC direction for completion

Questions?

Thank You for Your Time • David A. Donnelly, CEM® FPEM, CPM• 352.264.6500• dad@alachuacounty.us