Guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
Office of Personnel Management regarding continuity of
operations plans needs to address human capital considerations
related to resuming broader agency operations in the immediate
aftermath of a crisis, the General Accounting Office has said.
It said that while some federal executive boards already play
an active role in coordinating such efforts, the current
context in which FEBs operate, including the lack of a clearly
defined role and varying capacities among FEBs, could lead
to inconsistent levels of preparedness across the nation.
GAO recommended that FEMA and OPM more clearly define the role
FEBs play in improving emergency preparedness coordination and
address any resulting capacity issues, as well as human
capital considerations.
FEMA agreed with the recommendations — but OPM said its
guidance already incorporates the key actions and highlighted
its leadership role with respect to FEBs, said GAO,
maintaining that OPM has opportunities to address a fuller
range of human capital considerations.
For example, it said, guidance should instill an approach to
continuity planning to allocate resources and set policies,
set direction and pace of recovery, integrate continuity
efforts with broader decision making, consider how continuity
investments benefit other program efforts, sustain the
contribution of employees associated with essential operations,
maintain organizational knowledge of staffing requirements
and availability, and establish roles, responsibilities and
expectations.