COOP programs and planning ensure the most critical government functions continue to be available to Texas citizens under any conditions. Recent worldwide and Texas emergencies reinforced the need for continuity of operations and brought greater attention to the importance of being prepared. The Continuity of Operations (COOP) Program at SORM provides leadership, guidance, resources, and education to statewide continuity coordinators, risk managers, and other continuity practitioners to support state agency efforts to protect the state’s citizens and property, ensure economic safety, and provide vital information and essential services. We welcome you to the continuity community.
As a leader of continuity planning, SORM will make every effort to provide alternate communication methods and procedures within its own continuity plan to coordinate with our partner agencies if they and/or SORM are experiencing disruptions.
Exercise Review and Reports
The State Office of Risk Management aids other state agencies in developing COOP Programs through the review of COOP Plans and Exercises on a regular basis. Agencies may use the resources provided to guide the creation of their COOP Plan and seek guidance from SORM should questions arise. Plans and Exercises submitted through the email below will be reviewed and returned within ten business days. Agencies are encouraged to submit their COOP Plan every two years, and their Exercise every alternating year.
Submitting Your Plan
Continuity Plans and Exercise After-Action Reports should be submitted to SORM via email at coop@sorm.texas.gov unless otherwise agreed to by the agency and SORM.
Planning Resources
Continuity Template and Toolbox
- FEMA Continuity Resource Toolkit
- Federal Continuity Directive Federal Executive Branch Continuity Program Management Requirements (PDF)
- Federal Continuity Directive Federal Executive Branch Essential Functions Risk Identification and Management (PDF)
- Federal Continuity Directive Framework 2023
- FEMA Continuity Plan Template
- FEMA Continuity Guidance Circular
- FEMA Continuity Assessment Tool (PDF)
- Texas COOP Template – Agency Exercise Submission (Word)
Personal Preparedness
Legal Sources
COOP Agency Requirement and Confidentiality
Texas Labor Code 412.054
Texas Government Code 552.156
Additional IT Requirements
Texas Administrative Code, Rule 202.24
FEMA Continuity Training Classes
Course schedule and class availability is provided at the bottom of each linked page in the lists below. See the full Texas Division of Emergency Management’s website for all course offerings:
FEMA Classes
- Continuity Excellence Series
- IS 1300 Introduction to Continuity of Operations
- E/L/K 1301 Continuity Planning (Search for Class Number)
- E/L/K 1302 Continuity Program Management (Search for Class Number)
- E/L/G-141 Instructional Presentation and Evaluation Skills (Search for Class Number)