Continuity of Operations Planning at Home

The State Office of Risk Management provides continuity of operations guidelines (in accordance with FEMA standards) for Texas state agencies and other institutions. A continuity of operations plan is a proactive framework enabling organizations to maintain or quickly resume essential functions during and after emergencies.

While organizations may identify these plans just for government or corporate resiliency, they’re also critical for schools, communities, and households. A well-developed emergency plan can relieve the stress of dealing with an event, much like people experienced in recent catastrophic flooding in central Texas. A robust plan can save lives, significantly reduce loss, speed recovery, and enhance resilience.

FEMA’s emergency preparedness website, Ready.gov, provides several resources to assist families in preparing for an emergency event.

The following additional resources are also available to assist with advanced planning for a catastrophic event.

Make a Plan – Provides details on developing a robust strategy for families to respond to an emergency event including preparing your pets, building an emergency supply kit, and preparing older adults and caregivers.

Kids even have their own Ready Kids page with resources to make a family communication plan, build an emergency kit, and learn how to become involved in family and community preparation.

Keep communication open with your family and discuss the plan before you activate it. Be sure to practice your plan at least twice a year to be fully prepared, and to see if you need to make adjustments. Stay vigilant and pay attention to weather reports and keep in mind that predictions can change at any moment.

Continuity plans are lifelines. By anticipating worst-case scenarios, formalizing communication lines, and practicing responses, individuals and organizations can drastically reduce risk. The flooding tragedies in central Texas illustrate what can happen when plans fail, communication breaks down, and weather predictions quickly and drastically change. So, it’s important to include redundancies, foresight, and actionable procedures in your continuity plan. Don’t wait for a disaster to strike. Start your planning today.