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Washington State Interagency Continuity of Operations Planners (iCOOP)

Purpose

The Interagency Continuity of Operations (iCOOP) Committee is a standing committee of continuity and disaster recovery professionals established to promote the coordination of comprehensive and effective continuity activities across state agencies and act in an advisory capacity to The Adjutant General (TAG). The TAG, as chair of the iCOOP committee, will advise the Office of the Governor on issues of state government continuity.

If you are a state agency and would like access to iCOOP meeting minutes, continuity resources and tools here.

Establishment and Authority

Established on Oct. 15, 2012, the iCOOP Committee, through Governor’s Directive 12-20, Continuity of Government Operations Preparation and created the policy framework for continuity activities within state government. Directive 12-20 formalized an interagency continuity of operations committee to coordinate and guide the implementation of continuity activities across state agencies.
In 2015, House Bill 1047 modified RCW 38.52.030 placing the duties of the iCOOP committee into law. The iCOOP Committee is charged with providing leadership and guidance for interagency coordination, prioritization of continuity of operations planning by state agencies, and adherence to federal, state, and industry standards.

Goals & Objectives

To ensure continuity of government, the iCOOP committee will assist state agencies in their ability to provide essential functions and services by:

  • Promoting the use of best practices and strategies;
  • Providing guidance to state agencies on methods of aligning to state, federal and industry standards;
  • Recommending state procedures, standards, toolsets and solutions
  • Collecting, analyzing and reporting on agency continuity activities;
  • Sharing professional continuity recommendations and subject matter expertise;
  • Identifying and prioritizing required polices, methodologies and initiatives;
  • Documenting state agency essential functions and services;
  • Identifying, reviewing and prioritizing information technology systems, services, and requirements that support the essential functions identified in (c);
  • Building a shared understanding of continuity activities, concepts, terms and requirements;
  • Aligning programs, plans and relevant guidance documents to FEMA's Continuity of Operations Planning standard, National Incident Management System, Incident Command System, Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program and other relevant state, federal and industry standards;
  • Enhancing the coordination of continuity activities between state agencies;
  • Mapping interdependencies between state agency continuity of operations plans; and
  • Collaborating with the Emergency Management Council and other appropriate committees.


    Point of Contact

    Annie Merritt, Continuity Program Manager
    (253) 512-7118
    (253) 405-7119 (Cell)
    Annie.merritt@mil.wa.gov