Continuity of Operations

[Medic5274 45]

With the recent fire in the Dobbs Ferry Village Hall which houses the fire department, police department as well as all governmental operations I would be interested in knowing what types of Continuity of Operations plans are in place in different municipalities.

What would your organization or municipality do if they had to evacuate/relocate out of their facilities for an extended period of time? How many departments or municipal governments have true Continuity of Operations plans in place? Do you have a place designated to relocate to? Are your records backed up and readily accessible, do you have communication and network systems in place at an alternate location, are you able to maintain communications? Governmental operations must continue regardless of the calamity that has occurred. People still need to go to Village/Town/City Hall for services.

Throughout history if you look at some of the worst responses to large disasters they were all excacerbated by the failure to maintain governmental operations. Preparing for smaller events will put the foundation in place for the major events.

Are we as prepared as we should be?