National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51 (HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20) dated May 9th, 2007 directs: a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies.
This policy establishes “National Essential Functions,” prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.
You can download the brochure and get more information on continuity of operations plans from FEMA here: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/org/ncp/coop_brochure.pdf
Federal agencies, whenever possible (such as for cyber, earthquake, or tsunami exercises), should include the SFFEB when exercising their COOP/CiP emergency plans, thus allowing a link of this plan into the exercise play. This will help allow the smooth activation of the plan when a disaster threatens the Bay Area.
Federal emergency managers can also join our Emergency Preparedness Working Group, share best practices and coordinate on continuity training and exercises by clicking here.
Important Things to Know Before a Disaster
