Alternative Location

In the event your agency’s building(s) will be inhabitable for an extended period of time (or even a few days), where will your agency resume business? 

  • Close communication with your Disaster Recovery Team will give you an early indication of the extent of damage at your “event” site.
  • Agencies with multiple locations can plan for re-deployment of functions or personnel to other branch offices. This may mean an “unaffected” branch will go on emergency alert to handle mission critical services or essential business functions. 
Where are alternative locations where business (or at least mission critical services) can be resumed? What if your building is completely destroyed? Your Agency’s Business Resumption Plan should include or consider the following:
  • Will your agency require a site where mission critical services can immediately resume? If so, you need what is called a “hot site”. A hot site may contain computer equipment that has the capability to communicate with state mainframes, back-up media of your agency’s electronic files, telephones, or other agency specific resources needed to continue business. Many vendors offer hot site services. DAS EISPD may be able to assist state agencies to obtain these services. Hot sites must be secured well in advance of a need, and require detailed planning to ensure appropriate resources will be available. Hot sites are expensive. Therefore, a hot site is a short-term solution to allow critical operations to resume. Make sure you can get to the site. What if the disaster affects roads, airlines, trains, etc.? You will need to make different provisions for getting to your hot site depending on the type of disaster you face. Your plan should identify where you will re-locate your agency´s business once this time is over, if your building(s) is still inhabitable.
  • Will your agency’s business allow taking a few days or possibly up to a week to become operational after a disaster? Or, what if you cannot get back into your building once the hot site time period is over? Your agency´s plan should include arrangements for what is called a "warm site" or an alternative location. A warm site, or alternative location is pre-arranged space for your operations. This space can be quickly set up with equipment, furnishings, or supplies. Contracted sites may even contain equipment, furnishings, or supplies. DAS Facilities may be able to provide state agencies with assistance in arranging alternative sites or provide listings of potential sites. Also, consider working with other government and non-government entities that do the same or similar types of business, i.e., counties, cities, and non-profits to arrange alternative sites.
  • What if your building is completely destroyed? Your plan should address any potential resources your agency could use to permanently re-locate your operations. Again, work with DAS Facilities, other governmental entities, or non-profits to identify potential sites for re-location. 
  • Do your leases contemplate business resumption needs? Will you be locked into rent payments? What controls do you have to assure a leased building is restored to your satisfaction before you reenter? 
  • Know your building. What are your agency’s needs? How much square footage will you require if you have to re-locate? How many restrooms? A Mailroom? Security systems? Meeting space? Laboratories? Classrooms? Any special workforce needs? As part of your plan, document workspace requirements for your agency’s operation.