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Business Continuity Awareness Week May 13-17
Governor Holcomb has proclaimed this week to be Business Continuity Awareness Week in the state of Indiana. Business Continuity Awareness Week is also the name of an annual global event that is facilitated by the Business Continuity Institute to raise awareness of the value business continuity management can provide to organizations of all types of sizes.
The HUB sat down with FSSA’s physical plant operations manager Caleb Slocum to discuss his role in maintaining continuity of operations throughout the agency.
What would you say you do here?
First and foremost, I’d say that I advocate for the safety and security of our employees and the agency as a whole. I look at the worst possibilities and try to circumvent them. Secondarily, my team and I endeavor to make sure that our divisions have the physical resources and space that they need to perform their duties. Guiding our coworkers to ensure that state policies and federal regulations are adhered to would be our third task. Finally, I interact with other agencies on behalf of the FSSA to further our mission and values.
What would you like FSSA employees to know about continuity of operations?
Continuity of operations is important for any business or government entity but especially so for us. Think of all of the Hoosiers we help on a daily basis: those in need of food, assistance with mental and physical health issues, older adults, or ensuring that those teaching our children are safe. Without us, Hoosiers lose access to so much needed assistance. Continuity of operations ensures that those people can still get the help they need, no matter what happens here.
Is there anything we, as FSSA employees, should be doing?
Besides keeping up with the great work that they are already doing? From a business standpoint, I would recommend that everyone ensure that our coworkers and supervisors have a reliable way of contacting us in case of an emergency. If we need to declare a COOP level event, we may ask for staff to telecommute, stay away from the normal worksite, or to report elsewhere for work. On a personal level, make a plan for your family, build a “Go Kit” and ensure that you have three days worth of supplies ready at home in case a disaster strikes. It also doesn’t hurt to take some first aid/emergency response classes.
We on the Continuity Of Operations Plan command team are also looking for volunteers to fill in for us in case a member can’t be reached during an emergency. While being a COOP command backup does require a time commitment, it also provides its members with specialized training in emergency planning and response, leadership, national incident management structure, and incident command structure via unique live exercises and tabletop styled games. If the idea of working alongside our partner divisions like the Division of Mental Health and Addiction or Homeland Security and helping people during times of emergencies, or ensuring the continued performance of the agency excites you, please reach out to me at Caleb.Slocum@fssa.IN.gov.
This year's Business Continuity Awareness Week theme is "Investing in Resilience.” What does that phrase mean to you and to FSSA?
This ties back to what I want people to know: the importance of our work and why we need to make sure that we can continue to do it, no matter the circumstances. To this end, our team engages in training and works with other agencies and divisions to ensure that we either have or can get quickly, any item that our staff would need if the worst were to happen. We develop the skills and relationships necessary to make sure that FSSA continues to function so that the people of Indiana can continue receiving our services, especially during an emergency.