Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: Diana Ramirez, County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a revision to the Harris County Continuity of Operations Plan policy regarding the plans for personnel and essential functions of departments and agencies in emergency events.
end
Background and Discussion:
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Harris County Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) implementation process and provide guidance on tier designation of personnel in the event of emergencies in accordance with Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code. Continuity of government is intended to ensure the public continues to receive essential services and functions in an incident or disruption event that affects operations.
This policy applies to all County departments reporting to the Office of County Administration and offices or departments of elected/appointed officials who choose to adopt it. This guide presumes all County departments maintain some level of essential function and therefore need to plan for the continuity of these functions in the event of an emergency. This policy presumes that all County employees can be utilized during an emergency, if warranted.
The original Continuity of Operations Plan policy was adopted in January 2016. This revision includes updates requiring departments reporting to the Office of County Administration to submit their COOP policies to the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Universal Services by January 1st annually. Additionally, departments/agencies are responsible for classifying personnel based on the employee’s duties as they relate to the department/agency’s essential functions. Lastly, the policy clarifies that personnel are deployable to alternative County worksites and for alternative functions during emergency events.
The updates to this policy were developed in partnership with the Harris County Attorney’s Office, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Harris County Universal Services, Harris County Flood Control, Harris County Engineering Department, and Harris County Public Health. In addition, Harris County Commissioners Court Offices and other Harris County departments and agencies were provided a draft for consideration prior to its submission for Court approval.
Expected Impact:
A revised COOP Policy would ensure County departments/agencies have reviewed and communicated their COOPs and are better prepared to respond in emergency events. County employees will also be notified of their classification in the event of an emergency ensuring that expectations about work performance are understood by those employees. County personnel identified as deployable would be able to assist the County in emergency events.
Alternative Options:
No action on this item means the County would default to its current COOP policy adopted in 2016. The current policy does not require departments to review and submit their COOP plans and does not identify staff to be deployable in emergency events.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
X Public Health
_ Transportation
X Flooding
_ Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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1-20-2016 |
2.b |
Court approved the proposed guideline regarding county operations status due to severe inclement weather or other emergencies. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: November 12, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Diana Ramirez, County Administrator, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): Proposed draft of the Harris County Continuity of Operations Plan policy