Continuity Guidance Circular CGC Federal Emergency Management Agency

Continuity Guidance Circular (CGC) Federal Emergency Management Agency March 2018

Why is Continuity Important? • Every day, individuals, organizations, communities, and governments provide critical services and perform essential functions upon which neighbors and citizens depend. • Continuity ensures that the whole community plans for sustaining these services and functions when normal operations are disrupted. • Implementation of continuity principles ensures that organizations, communities, and governments are able to support citizens in need. • National preparedness and sustainment of essential functions is a shared responsibility of the whole community. • Development and maintenance of continuity capabilities helps build and sustain a more resilient Nation equipped to sustain essential functions, deliver critical services, and supply core capabilities under all conditions. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 2

Background • Per Presidential Policy Directive-40, “the Secretary of Homeland Security. . . through the Administrator of FEMA. . . will develop and promulgate continuity planning guidance to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure. . . ” • FEMA led a whole community effort to review and revise the CGC, including a National Engagement period. • The CGC guides whole community efforts to develop and maintain the capability to ensure continuity of operations (COOP), continuity of government (COG), and enduring constitutional government during an emergency that disrupts normal operations. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 3

Applicability • The CGC is flexible and adaptable for a broad range of audiences, threats, and capabilities. • The CGC serves as a resource for Federal and non-federal entities to appropriately integrate and coordinate continuity efforts. • Continuity is dependent upon the resilience and preparedness built by each and every individual and community. foundations of Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 4

Overview • The CGC is designed to present the overarching guiding principles behind the incorporation of continuity planning throughout the whole community by: • Describing the fundamental theories and concepts to unify the application of continuity principles, planning, and capabilities across the Nation; • Describing Federal and non-federal continuity efforts; • Outlining roles, responsibilities, and coordinating structures; and • Describing processes for building and maintaining continuity capabilities. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 5

Table of Contents • Foreword: A National Continuity Philosophy • Chapter 1: Getting Started • Chapter 2: Building a Capability • Chapter 3: Maintaining a Capability • Conclusion • Appendix 1: Authorities and References • Appendix 2: Key Terms • Appendix 3: Acronyms • Appendix 4: Continuity Planning Checklist Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 6

Foreword: A National Continuity Philosophy • Addresses why continuity is important and introduces continuity concepts and definitions. • Defines the goal and vision of continuity. • Identifies three guiding principles: 1. Preparedness and resilience; 2. Whole community engagement; and 3. Scalable, flexible, and adaptable continuity capabilities. • Outlines whole community roles, responsibilities, and coordinating structures and the context and interdependencies between Federal and non-federal continuity. • Identifies how continuity interfaces with other emergency plans. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 7

Chapter 1: Getting Started This chapter identifies foundational elements of a continuity program that will increase the success of continuity planning and operations. • Guidance and Standards: • Organizations should identify existing, applicable continuity regulations or requirements. • Municipal and state governments without a mandate for continuity planning should consider developing a comprehensive policy to guide the planning and preparedness of those organizations on which its citizens depend. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 8

Chapter 1: Getting Started cont. • Initiating Planning: When initiating continuity planning, organizations are encouraged to: • Become knowledgeable with the current program; • Establish a team to assist with planning; • Develop a project plan, timelines, and milestones; and • Identify preliminary budgeting and resource requirements. • Leadership Support: Leadership and elected officials are necessary to oversee a comprehensive planning environment by coordinating and integrating continuity and emergency plans with interdependent internal and external stakeholders. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 9

Chapter 2: Building a Capability This chapter aims to provide guidance and a framework for building a comprehensive continuity foundation and plan. • Step 1: Identify Essential Functions: • Outlines the National Essential Functions (NEFs) and role of nonfederal entities in maintaining the NEFs; Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 10

National Essential Functions • The NEFs are the foundation of all continuity programs and capabilities and are the primary focus of the federal government before, during, and after a catastrophic emergency. • The whole community directly contributes to the Nation’s ability to continue performance of the NEFs. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 11

Chapter 2: Building a Capability cont. • Step 1: Identify Essential Functions continued: • Discusses a Business Process Analysis; • Outlines the need to conduct or leverage risk assessments; • Details the Business Impact Analysis; and • Summarizes how to identify and prioritize essential functions. • Step 2: Identify Mitigation Options: Details potential mitigation options to reduce risk to essential functions, including: • Alternate locations; • Telework; • Devolution; and • Mutual aid. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 12

Chapter 2: Building a Capability cont. • Step 3: Identify Key Elements: Identifies factors critical to continuity plans, including essential records, communications, critical systems, human resources, orders of succession, and delegations of authority. • Step 4: Plan and Implement Options and Elements: Defines the four phases of continuity. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 13

Chapter 3: Maintaining a Capability This chapter aims to provide guidance and a framework for maintaining a viable continuity capability and maturing a continuity program and plan. • Testing, Training, and Exercising: Outlines guidance for continuity tests, training, exercises, and continuous improvement planning. • Updating and Reviewing Plans and Programs: Details the plan revision cycle and continuity metrics considerations. • Resource Direction and Investment: Outlines continuity budget considerations and options, including use of grant funding for continuity planning. • Multi-Year Strategic Planning: Identifies multi-year strategic planning as a useful strategy to develop and improve continuity programs. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 14

Next Steps • FEMA has developed a supporting Continuity Resource Toolkit that will provide examples, tools, and templates for implementing each CGC chapter. • The Toolkit website is www. fema. gov/continuity-resource-toolkit. • FEMA will update continuity training and other supporting materials, tools, and templates to align with the final document. • Once published, the updated CGC will supersede the 2013 version. • This Continuity Guidance Circular does not make current continuity plans and programs obsolete. • To promote consistency across the Nation, entities are encouraged to review the CGC and update plans and capabilities, as necessary. • This assists in enhancing jurisdictional continuity plans and capabilities and aligning those plans and capabilities with national continuity doctrine, as identified within the CGC. Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 15

Discussion and Questions FEMA-CGC@fema. dhs. gov www. fema. gov/continuity-guidancecircular Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003 16