Emergency Management

The New England Region is prepared to assist federal agencies in emergency response operations. 

In the event of an emergency, federal employees should follow their own agency's emergency procedures and monitor media announcements as well as their own agency's emergency communications. GSA will publish emergency information, when necessary, to the Emergency Response page. 

Federal agencies should ensure that their alternate work sites and point of contact information is accurate and on file with their Agency Regional Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and the GSA Regional Emergency Coordinator for emergency assistance. 

As a national priority and as mandated through Presidential Directive, all federal agencies should have emergency preparedness plans and a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). COOP is intended to ensure continuity of essential federal functions under all circumstances. 

Key Elements of COOP

• Delineate essential functions and activities
• Determine a decision process for appropriate actions in implementing COOP plans and procedures
• Keep a roster of fully equipped and trained emergency personnel with the authority to perform essential functions and activities
• Establish procedures for the release of employee advisories and alerts
• Provide instructions for relocation to designated facilities and COOP implementation 
• Provide for personnel accountability throughout the duration of the emergency
• Provide for attaining operational capability within 12 hours
• Establish reliable processes and procedures to acquire resources necessary to continue essential functions and sustain operations for up to 30 days
• Establish written rules and procedures for a line of succession and delegation of authorities