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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