Continuity Planning Maintenance for State Agency
Cal OES announces a new maintenance program initiative in the updated Continuity Guidance. Continuity plans and programs are dynamic and require regular updating to reflect any changes in the organization (e.g., staffing, structure, functions, equipment, communications, leadership, and resources). In order to ensure that baseline of capability in all the key planning element areas, a Continuity Plan Evaluation Checklist has been created and included in the Continuity Planning Guide. The Continuity Plan Evaluation Checklist is a self-certification that an agency has developed and is maintaining a continuity plan that reflects the most current state and federal continuity planning standards and best practices. The Checklist documents the organization’s Continuity Program and Plan status.
Beginning in 2010, the Continuity Plan Evaluation Checklist is to be completed by the agency’s continuity planning team and signed by the secretary/director. The Continuity Plan Approvals page is used to indicate that the organization's senior level officials have read the Continuity Plan and understand their roles and responsibilities should the organization's business essential functions be disrupted. The Checklist should then be mailed to CAL OES according to the Continuity Planning Guidance Document. Schedule for submission is contained within the guidance and provided for quick reference below.
***State continuity guidance requires that state agencies and departments evaluate and update COOP/COG plans and submit completed Continuity Plan Evaluation Checklists on an annual basis. Due to the more frequent and complicated emergencies experienced in California, often involving multiple counties and regions of the state, our State Agency partners have been stretched thin on resources and staff.
Due to the increased demand, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is not requiring our partners to submit their plans or Evaluation Checklists until January of 2023. We still strongly encourage state agencies and departments to continue to review all continuity plans and use all evaluation methods to ensure California’s resiliency.