United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2007-11-19 monographic deposited born digital 67 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-185 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185 P0b002ee18037b954 f:d08185 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185 GAO-08-185 Continuity of government Continuity of operations Continuity of operations plan Emergency management Emergency preparedness Emergency preparedness programs Emergency response plans Evaluation criteria Federal agencies Program evaluation Reporting requirements Policies and procedures Forward Challenge 06 Other Written Product A78248 To ensure the availability of essential government services in emergencies, federal agencies are required to develop continuity of operations (COOP) plans. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for disseminating guidance to federal agencies on developing plans, as well as conducting government-wide exercises every other year to assess federal continuity readiness. In June 2006, FEMA conducted an exercise called Forward Challenge 06, to allow agencies to activate COOP plans, deploy essential personnel to alternate facilities, and perform essential functions. GAO was asked to describe the extent to which agencies tested continuity plans and procedures, personnel, and resources during the June 2006 exercise. To do this, GAO selected the eight civilian agencies with significant responsibilities during national disasters, analyzed agency exercise documentation, and interviewed officials to determine which test and exercise activities each agency included in its participation. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185.pdf GAO-08-185 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-185 Other Written Product GAO-08-185; Continuity of Operations: Selected Agencies Tested Various Capabilities during 2006 Governmentwide Exercise; Continuity of government Continuity of operations Continuity of operations plan Emergency management Emergency preparedness Emergency preparedness programs Emergency response plans Evaluation criteria Federal agencies Program evaluation Reporting requirements Policies and procedures Forward Challenge 06