Intergovernmental Cooperation in Benchmarking a Local Government Continuity-of-Operations Exercise

Abstract

This paper describes intergovernmental cooperation in the conduct of a local government continuity-of-operations exercise by the Public Works Division, Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The commitment of Bernalillo County to cooperation included the implementation of national standards and recommended practice. The commitment was based on principle and not on funding. The planning, training, and exercise cycle is considered part of the ongoing responsibility of the agency and is funded within the Public Works Division's operating budget. All levels of government participated in the exercise. The commitment of other agencies to the local government exercise included external evaluation, review of the After-Action Report and Improvement Plan, the support of continuity of operations, and ongoing cooperation in critical infrastructure protection. The state involvement in the exercise was through the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as well as the Department of Health. Federal agencies supporting the exercise were the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Office of the U.S. Attorney; the 377th Wing Command, Kirtland Air Force Base; Sandia National Laboratories; and the National Nuclear Security Administration. The exercise was successful. The conduct of the exercise demonstrated that the division was well prepared. Essential functions were relocated and were operational in a period shorter than that identified by federal standard and local target timelines. Local governments such as Bernalillo County are capable as well as committed to intergovernmental cooperation. As a result of commitment and cooperation, a benchmark is offered for continuity-of-operations resilience.