March 4, 2009
Supreme Court Template Guides Local Courts in Emergency and Disaster Planning
A template to help local courts with continuity of operations in the face of an emergency or disaster is now available from the Supreme Court of Ohio, Justice Maureen O’Connor announced today.
“These materials will help courts across Ohio to prepare plans that will allow them to maintain vital services should disaster strike,” said Justice O’Connor, who chairs the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Court Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Amendments to Rule 9 and Appendix C of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, which became effective Sunday, require courts to adopt a written continuity of operations plan as part of their court security plans.
The template was developed by the advisory committee with the assistance of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. It provides general guidelines and information that should be included in a continuity plan as well as specific elements. The template refers courts to additional resources for more detailed information.
“Courts’ essential duty to dispense justice does not cease upon the occurrence of an emergency or disaster,” an introduction to the template notes. “To this end, a well-designed and comprehensive continuity of operations plan can ensure court personnel, facilities and systems are prepared to survive the initial effects of an emergency or disaster and alternate locations are available to provide the necessary infrastructure to continue operations.”
To access the template, visit: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Boards/courtSecurity/COOPTemplate.pdf 
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Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow, 614.387.9250