1. Florida State Courts Continuity of Operations Plan
“Keep the Courts Open”
Florida State Courts Continuity of Operations Plan

2. Chief Justices of the Florida Supreme Court, 9/11 to Present
Leadership
We must deal with crises in a way that protects the health and safety of everyone inside our facilities
We must “keep the courts open” to ensure justice for the people
Justice Lewis
Justice Wells
Justice Pariente
Justice Anstead
Chief Justices of the Florida Supreme Court, 9/11 to Present

3. Staff Dedicated to the Initiative
Emergency Coordinating Officer (ECO)
Public Information Officer (PIO)
A branch-wide ECO and PIO
Alternates for each ECO and PIO

4. Practical Tools The Process for Responding to Emergencies
Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
The Court Emergency Management Group (CEMG)
The CEMG represents a policy group
The Eight Fill in the Blank Templates
The Court Emergency Management Team (CEMT)
The CEMT represents an operational team

5. Process under the Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Emergency Pending or Occurs
Initial Response to Emergencies Will be Outlined and Should be Followed Based on the Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Does Emergency Cause
the Closure of Primary Facility?
An Individual or Group will make an Initial Assessment as to Whether or Not the Primary Facility Needs to be Closed
Immediately
Is the Length of the Closure Minimal and Acceptable?
Yes
Handle the Emergency Situation as Outlined in the Administrative and Emergency Procedures No
Address Emergency and Resume Full Operations in Primary Facility
Yes
Address Emergency and Resume Full Operations in Primary Facility No
COOP
A copy of this PowerPoint is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

6. Process under the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
Activate COOP and Begin the Process toward Performance of Mission Essential Functions in a Predetermined and Temporary Alternate Facility
Can Full Operations in Primary Facility be Reconstituted in 30 Days?
An Individual or Group will Assess Whether or Not Full Operations in the Primary Facility can be Reconstituted within 30 Days of COOP Activation
Immediately
Perform Mission Essential Functions under the COOP on a Temporary Basis
Yes
Perform Mission Essential Functions under the COOP on a Temporary Basis No
Immediately Begin Efforts to Reconstitute Full Operations within 30 Days in a Long-Term Alternate Facility
Transfer Back into Full Operations in the Primary Facility
Full Operations in a Long-Term Alternate Facility Initiated within 30 Days
A copy of this PowerPoint is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

7. Appendix: Preparing for a Pandemic
“Keep the Courts Open”
Appendix: Preparing for a Pandemic

8. Planning Efforts related to Pandemic Influenza
Florida State Courts Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Endorsed March 29, 2006
Statewide training event held on June 26, 2006 in Orlando
Stockpiling emergency supplies
Coordination with the Florida Department of Health and other stakeholders is ongoing
A copy of the Strategy is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

9. Elements of the Florida State Courts Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Seven planning tasks with detailed subtasks
A process flowcharting the specific steps and decisions for responding to an influenza pandemic
Short-term and long-term tactical objectives
Reasserted strategic policy goals
A copy of the Strategy is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

10. Relationship Between the Elements of the Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Improved Capacity to
Achieve the Strategic Goals
Leads to
Improved Capacity to
Achieve the Tactical Objectives
Leads to
Improved Capacity to Implement the Process
Leads to
Complete the Seven Planning Tasks
A copy of the Strategy is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

11. Additional Information:
Questions or Comments
FYI, some questions I hope you don’t ask:
Has every Florida state court fully developed their plans?
Has implementation been like making sausage?
How have the Florida State Courts addressed NIMS compliance?
How do courts ensure they can protect their records?
Are the courts really that important in an emergency response?
Contact Information:
Greg Cowan or
Additional Information:
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)