Georgia Tech has an Institute Emergency Action Plan that provides guidance on responding to emergencies on campus, and every building has a custom Redbook that meets its specific emergency response needs — but what happens in the aftermath of an emergency?

The Office of Emergency Preparedness is working with campus departments to create Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs), which are designed to ensure basic operations continue in the aftermath of an emergency.

“A COOP is simply a department’s Plan B for essential functions,” said Andy Altizer, director of Emergency Preparedness. “Going through the process is valuable in that it helps identify those important essential functions and come up with a plan if such functions go away. Georgia Tech must have the capability to conduct critical operations during an emergency and to resume others rapidly and efficiently once the immediate crisis has passed.”

COOPs could be implemented for any number of reasons, including large-scale disasters or more localized issues. They’re designed for both short-term and long-term operations, up to 30 days.

Emergency Preparedness is holding two classes this week, on July 15 and 17, to help departments get started with planning. Participants will learn how to conduct a hazard analysis and identify and prioritize departmental essential functions. Participants will also learn how to use GT Ready, a business continuity planning tool that is specific to higher education institutions.

To register for a COOP class, visit trains.gatech.edu/courses/programs, or contact Jennifer Mattingly.