**GAO-04-160**                      Published: Feb 27, 2004. Publicly Released: Mar 29, 2004.                  

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## Highlights

To ensure that essential government services are available in emergencies--such as terrorist attacks, severe weather, or building-level emergencies-- federal agencies are required to develop continuity of operations (COOP) plans. Responsibility for formulating guidance on these plans and for assessing executive branch COOP capabilities lies with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA guidance, Federal Preparedness Circular (FPC) 65 (July 1999), provides elements of a viable COOP capability, including the requirement that agencies identify their essential functions. GAO was asked to determine the extent to which (1) major civilian executive branch agencies have identified their essential functions and (2) these agencies' COOP plans follow FEMA guidance.

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## Topics

Homeland Security

Agency missionsContinuity of operationsCounterterrorismEmergency managementEmergency preparednessFederal agenciesHomeland securityInternal controlsOperations researchPerformance measuresPublic assistance programsSecurity operations