What is the primary objective of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning for government agencies?

• A. To ensure mission-critical functions continue with minimum disruption during emergencies.
• B. Improve public relations during crises.
• C. Reduce budget for emergency services.
• D. Train staff in first aid.

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is keeping essential government functions up and running during emergencies. Continuity of Operations planning focuses on ensuring that mission-critical functions can continue with minimal disruption, even when normal systems are down or strained. This involves identifying which activities are vital, establishing orders of succession, creating alternate facilities and access to essential data, and maintaining core communications and resources so those core services can operate while the disruption is managed and normal operations are restored.

Public relations during crises, while important, is not the primary aim of COOP. Reducing emergency-service budgets and general first-aid training are useful activities but do not address sustaining essential government functions through a disruption.