Disaster Planning and Response

• Implement pre-disaster actions to ensure a constant state of readiness and take steps to safeguard assets and vital records if an early warning is received.
• Communicate disaster preparedness and response efforts before, during, and after an emergency to keep members, volunteers, employees, and regulators fully aware of the situation.
• Utilize a cross-section of people to develop, test, and implement disaster preparedness and response plans.
• Ensure back-ups are available for not only data but also personnel, worksites, equipment, vendors, and other resources.
• Treat disaster preparedness and response plans as “living documents” to be updated as circumstances change.  

The resources listed below contain a wealth of information to assist you in reviewing your own disaster preparedness plans. Basic templates for businesses are available at Ready.gov (U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s internet site). These templates address the fundamental elements of disaster preparedness plans and can serve as a starting point for your review.  

Upcoming Examination Procedures  

NCUA is developing an examination questionnaire to assist examiners in reviewing the key elements of disaster preparedness and response planning. The questionnaire incorporates recent “lessons learned” as well as long-standing guidance. Examiners will consider the following elements when reviewing your efforts to PREPARE:  

• Planning – Ensuring Financial Services to Members
• Resources – Allocation of Sufficient Equipment and Facilities
• Evaluation – Testing of Contingencies for All Critical Systems
• People – Maintaining Readiness of Staff and Officials
• Alliances - Established Relationships with Other Organizations
• Review – Updating Internal Plans for Effectiveness
• Experience – Incorporate Lessons Learned

Once the examination questionnaire is finalized, it will be shared with you in an upcoming letter to credit unions. The questionnaire will also be posted on NCUA’s internet site along with other examination related materials.  

Resources

NCUA Resources:  

• Letter to Credit Unions #06-CU-06 Influenza Pandemic Preparedness

http://www.ncua.gov/letters/2006/CU/CU-06-06.doc  

• Letter to Credit Unions #01-CU-21 Disaster Recovery and Business Resumption Contingency Plans

http://www.ncua.gov/letters/2001/01-CU-21.pdf 

• Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives (OSCUI) Credit Union Workshops

Interagency Resources:  

• FFIEC IT Handbook Booklet: Business Continuity Planning

https://ithandbook.ffiec.gov/

Training Presentation

https://ithandbook.ffiec.gov/

Ready.Gov Resources:

• Business Emergency Planning Guidance

http://www.ready.gov

• Sample Templates

https://www.ready.gov/publications

I appreciate your cooperation in reviewing and enhancing your disaster preparedness efforts. Jointly, we will ensure all federally insured credit unions are prepared to serve their members in the event of a disaster.