Fact Sheet for the  Continuity of Operations Plan Template
   for Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratories
The Continuity of Operations Plan Template for Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratories (COOP
Template) is designed to provide recommendations that may be useful in preparing for events that may
disrupt normal laboratory operations. For ease of use, the template was designed as a fillable PDF that
                  is customizable and can be expanded or condensed depending on the operational
                  requirements of each laboratory.

                  The COOP Template is accompanied by instructions which will provide additional
                   details including examples to facilitate development of each section of the COOP
                   Template. Both documents are available on the Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA)
                   website under "WLA Tools and Resources" at: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/
                   watersecuritv/wla/index.cfm.

                    Each completed COOP should include a Basic Plan, Functional Annexes, Hazard-
                    Specific Appendices, Annex Implementing Instructions and Quick Reference
                    Annexes as briefly outlined below. Users will also need to create Supporting
                    Appendices to supplement the information provided in the COOP Template.
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Basic Plan Description (Including Supporting Appendices A-L)
The Basic Plan should provide an overview of the laboratory's approach to continuity of operations. It details
continuity and laboratory policies, describes the organization and assigns tasks. The contents of the Basic Plan
are broken into eight primary sections.
I.  Purpose, Scope, Situations and Assumptions
   This section details the primary functions of the COOP, time-sensitive core laboratory activities covered by
   the COOP to maintain operations, a situational overview to understand potential threats that could disrupt
   normal laboratory operations and assumptions of staff responsibility based on the extent of COOP activation.
   Appendices A (Key Personnel) and B (Risk Assessment) will supplement Section I.
II.  Concept of Operations
   This section lays out actions that should be taken to prepare for, and recover from a disruptive event through
   each of four phases of operations:
   1) Readiness and Preparedness                  3)  Continuity Operations
   2) Activation, Reprioritization and/or Outsourcing     4)  Return to Normal Operations
   Appendices C (Notification Steps), D (Instructions for Procurement), E (Accessing Protocol), F (Agreements),
   G (WLA-RP), H (Priority Based Plan) and I (Normal Operations Resumption Plan) will supplement Section II.
III. Organization and Assignment of Responsibilities
   This section stipulates delineation of continuity responsibilities for each key staff position, which includes
   individual continuity members, personnel identified in  the  orders of succession and delegation of authority,
   the Laboratory's Continuity Coordinator, continuity managers and  other staff possessing  additional continuity
   responsibilities. Responsibilities of key personnel should be attached as Appendix J.
IV. Disaster Intelligence
   This section provides recommendations for the collection and dissemination of critical information during an
   incident. Examples of critical information should be attached as Appendix K.

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 Fact Sheet for the Continuity of Operations Plan Template for Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratories

V.  Communication
    This section should address communication systems needed to ensure connectivity during crisis and disaster
    conditions, including redundancy of communication methods in case primary means become inoperable.
VI.  Assistance Agreements
    This section should identify processes and procedures for developing and implementing agreements
    necessary for continuation of the laboratory's essential functions. These agreements should be established
    in advance to facilitate implementation during an incident. Agreement types will vary based on circumstances
    surrounding necessary support.
VII. Plan Development and Maintenance
    This section should describe the process the laboratory uses to ensure the COOP includes up-to-date
    information. It identifies who is responsible for maintaining the COOP and how often it will be reviewed and
    updated.
VIM. Authorities and References
    Key authorities and references on which the laboratory's COOP is based should be attached as Appendix L.


Functional Annexes (Including Supporting Appendices M and N)
The functional annexes should add specific information and direction to the Basic Plan. These annexes should
clearly describe the policies, processes, roles and responsibilities that laboratories carry out before, during and
after any event.
I.   Essential Functions Annex
    The essential functions section should include a list of
    the laboratory's prioritized Mission Essential Functions
    or "core functions." The Mission Essential Functions
    should be attached as Appendix M.

II.   Continuity Facilities Annex
    All laboratories should identify and maintain at least one
    continuity facility or membership in the Environmental
    Response Laboratory Network (ERLN)/WLA or
    Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN),
    to ensure continuation of the laboratory's essential
    functions.

III.  Continuity Communications Annex
    This section should address communication systems
    needed to ensure connectivity during crisis and disaster
    conditions. The continuity communications plan should
    be attached as Appendix N.

IV.  Test, Training and Exercises  (TT&E) Program Annex
    This section should focus on the laboratory's TT&E
    program. All laboratories  should develop and maintain
    a continuity TT&E program for conducting and
    documenting TT&E activities. The TT&E program should
    identify the components,  processes and requirements
    for the identification, training and preparedness of
    personnel needed to support the continued performance
    of their Mission Essential Functions.
Hazard-Specific Appendices
(Supporting Appendix 0)
The contents of hazard-specific appendices
should focus on the special planning
needs generated by particular hazards. A
compilation of all hazard-specific appendices
that provide unique response details that
apply to the laboratory should be attached
as Appendix O.

Annex Implementing
Instructions (Supporting Appendix P)
Annex implementing instructions serve to
provide additional information on sections
presented in the continuity of operations
plan.  Implementing instructions should be
attached as Appendix P.

Quick Reference Annexes:
Annex A (Glossary), Annex B
(Authorities and References) and
Annex C (Acronyms)
These Annexes provide quick reference
information to define terms and acronyms,
as well as provide additional resources
outside of the  immediate COOP.
       To learn more about the WLA, contact WLA@epa.gov or the WLA Helpline at 703-818-4200.
                          Office of Water (4608-T) | EPA 817-F-14-006 | November 2014-

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