Planning for Emergencies: Immediate Events and Their Aftermath: A Guideline for Local Courts

Abstract

This Guideline is designed for use by courts in rural and smaller populated areas to highlight issues and considerations relevant to court emergency and disaster preparedness planning. It is intended to provide a framework for courts to develop preparedness plans that can be activated to address both the immediate impact of emergency situations as well as ensure the continuity of court operations over a protracted period of time. Among the many issues it addresses include (1) the importance of interagency relationships, coordination of the various "first responders" who may need to be involved and, most important, the definition of "mission critical functions" that need to be preserved.