Name: CRESA
Price range: $

Working Together to Stay Ready

Local jurisdictions are committed to keeping public services available during any disruption. By planning ahead, we can reduce the impacts of emergencies and recover faster—together.

Key Areas of Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning

Critical Public Services

Ensuring essential community services continue during emergencies so residents can rely on support when it matters most.

Facilities, Records and Systems

Protecting vital records, technology, and alternate facilities required to continue operations.

Essential Functions and Staff

Identifying critical services, key personnel, and leadership roles needed to sustain operations.

Regional Coordination

Strengthens coordination and mutual support among cities and regional partners during emergencies.

Train, Test and Improve

Promotes ongoing training, exercises, and continuous improvement to strengthen preparedness and resilience.

Public Communication

Maintaining clear, reliable communication with the public before, during, and after emergencies.

Frequently Asked Question

: A Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) outlines how a city will continue performing essential functions during and after a significant disruption. These disruptions may include natural disasters, public health emergencies, cyber incidents, or infrastructure failures. A COOP identifies critical services, key personnel, essential systems, and alternate facilities to ensure local government can continue operating when normal conditions are disrupted.
: COOP and Emergency Operations Centers serve different but complementary roles during an emergency. An Emergency Operations Center coordinates the immediate response to an incident and supports incident management and interagency coordination. A COOP focuses on maintaining a city’s day-to-day essential functions throughout the disruption. Together, they allow a city to respond to emergencies while continuing core operations that support residents, staff, and recovery.
: A regional COOP approach strengthens preparedness by encouraging coordination among neighboring cities and agencies. Because many emergencies affect multiple jurisdictions, regional planning helps align continuity strategies, improve communication, and support shared resources. This collaborative approach enhances overall resilience and ensures cities are better prepared to support one another during widespread or long-term disruptions.
: COOP plans should be reviewed and updated annually to ensure they reflect current conditions. Over time, staff roles change, systems are updated, facilities shift, and new risks emerge. Regular updates help maintain accurate information, incorporate lessons learned from exercises or real incidents, and ensure the plan remains effective and actionable when needed.
: COOP planning helps ensure that local government can continue its day-to-day essential functions during emergencies, even when normal operations are disrupted. This continuity supports stability, enables clear communication, and contributes to faster recovery. For the public, COOP planning provides confidence that local government is prepared to continue operating under challenging conditions.
: Continuity of Operations (COOP) focuses on how government continues its day-to-day essential functions during disruptions, including staffing, systems, facilities, and internal processes. Continuity of Government (COG) focuses on maintaining leadership, legal authority, and decision-making. Together, COOP and COG ensure that government can both continue operating and govern effectively under all conditions.

Continuity of Operations