The Importance of a Continuation of Operations Plan

A recent situation on Special Primary Election Day reminded my staff and me how important it is to have a Continuation of Operations Plan (COOP).  When a precinct supervisor called from a polling place to report what appeared to be a potential sinkhole in the parking lot, some quick thinking and even quicker action was required!  Not only was voter safety a concern, there was the safety of the pollworkers, and the issue of how to continue the election for the voters at the affected precinct. 

After the initial assessment by the precinct supervisor, who estimated the opening to be about 1’ x 2’ and growing, the precinct deputy was immediately instructed to place orange safety cones around the hole and to direct traffic away from it.  The next course of action was to call the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to request a deputy’s assistance, and to call Michele Baker, Pasco County Administrator, who dispatched staff from County Facilities and the Emergency Operations Center.  Within 30 minutes there was help on the way and a solid plan in place. The decision was made that if the location was deemed to be a public risk, staff was on notice to move all polling place equipment to a nearby polling place, all pollworkers would change location as well, and the polling place deputy would stay behind to redirect voters to the new location.

Although the alleged sinkhole was quickly filled and turned out to be caused by a recurring drainage issue in the parking lot, the reality of the potential for a real disaster was present.  Our office is required to have an official COOP, but we always hope that we don’t need it.  Even the best laid plan cannot foresee everything that weather and natural disasters may send your way.  This situation was a perfect test to the resiliency of the elections’ operation and our ability to respond to and avert a disruption in the electoral process.  For all who were involved, we’re hoping this is as close as we ever get!