FEMA Announces New Independent Study Courses: IS-546, IS-547

Release Date: July 21, 2005

Continuity of Operations (COOP) Awareness and Introduction to Continuity of Operations (COOP)

Emmitsburg, MD.- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has made available on the FEMA Virtual Campus, its Continuity of Operations Awareness and Introduction to Continuity of Operations courses.

"These continuity of operations courses are a key component in fulfilling FEMA's role as the Federal Government's lead agent for Continuity of Operations or COOP. Since the courses are now available electronically, any federal, state, local, or tribal official in the country can learn more about the importance of COOP," Brown said. "The Awareness course will help all employees understand what COOP is, while the Introduction to COOP course is designed for employees more involved in the COOP process."

IS-546 - Continuity of Operations (COOP) Awareness

This one-hour web-based course will provide all public-sector employees a fundamental understanding of continuity of operations (COOP), terms, objectives, and benefits to their organizations. The course provides a brief overview of the elements of a viable COOP capability. This course provides information on how a COOP event might impact an employee, the employee's department/agency, and the employee's family.

At the end of this course, the participant should be able to:

IS-547: Introduction to Continuity of Operations (COOP)

This five hour web-based course is designed for a broad federal audience - from senior managers to those involved directly involved in the continuity of operations (COOP) planning effort. The COOP concepts presented in the course may also be applicable to other levels of government. The course provides a working knowledge of the COOP guidance found in Federal Preparedness Circular 65, "Federal Executive Branch Continuity of Operations." The course provides activities to enhance your COOP program.

Topics covered in the course include an overview of what COOP is and is not and the elements of a viable COOP program.

You are welcome to register and complete the course online on the NETC Virtual Campus. Access this course through the Independent Study website, located at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.