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Recovery Strategy

Section III also discusses the recovery phase of a disaster, i.e., how you get back to business after a major event. It includes a description of what to expect in both the short-term and long-term. This section focuses on re-entry and your advance recovery team, the restoration of mission essential functions, the implementation of the crisis communications plan, safety measures and immediate repairs.

Continuity of Operations

Both the public and the private sector are confronting what has been termed the “new paradigm of preparedness" for employees and organizations in the wake of the September 11th tragedy. Traditionally, we have spent time and resources preparing to get employees out of a building or area that may be in danger. This is the first step - a critical one - in preparing a Business Continuity Plan. There is now a critical second step; how to continue a level of productivity to meet customer/client needs after a disaster.

Imagine that the alarms are sounding and your employees are exiting the building due to some emergency (bomb scare, hazardous material incident, anthrax scare, security breach, etc.). As you gather at your designated area safely outside the building, you are informed that the building is inaccessible for 48 hours, or 72 hours or indefinitely. Following a hurricane you may not be able to get back into the area for several weeks. Are your employees prepared to accomplish work when the workplace is not available?

Typically, the "A Plan" is to send employees home. However, depending on the length of time and your business demands, this business disruption could be devastating. According to "Smart Business Magazine", two out of every five companies hit by a large disaster go out of business within five years. This statistic can be managed if employees and business teams are prepared with a "Plan B" to resume a level of productivity. Note: Telework may be an option, click here for more information.

While the purpose of the Business Continuity Plan is to provide an overview, emergency procedures and checklists necessary to respond to an emergency, the Continuity of Operations (COOP Plan) defines how to respond to an emergency that directly affects your ability to continue normal operations. The consequence of a major emergency such as a hurricane, terrorist attack, or nuclear attack, could severely disrupt your ability to function. In addition, a small-localized emergency such as a fire, explosion, or contamination could make a building unusable for an extended period of time.

The COOP plan describes how you will resume business operations after a crisis or loss of resource. The capability of an organization to continue essential operations and reconstitute those operations prior to, during, and after an emergency that limits occupancy of the building or disrupts normal services, drives the successful recovery of the business as well as the local economy and entire community. This should be a key part of your Recovery Strategy.