COGCON 4:
Federal executive branch government employees at their normal work locations. Maintain alternate facility and conduct periodic continuity readiness exercises.
COGCON 3:
Federal agencies and departments Advance Relocation Teams “warm up” their alternate sites and capabilities, which include testing communications and IT systems. Ensure that alternate facilities are prepared to receive continuity staff. Track agency leaders and successors daily.
COGCON 2:
Deployment of 50-75% of Emergency Relocation Group continuity staff to alternate locations. Establish their ability to conduct operations and prepare to perform their organization’s essential functions in the event of a catastrophic emergency.
COGCON 1:
Full deployment of designated leadership and continuity staffs to perform the organization’s essential functions from alternate facilities either as a result of, or in preparation for, a catastrophic emergency.
Additional background:
COGCON 4 represents normal peacetime operations.
COGCON 3 is a state of heightened readiness, with some government officials required to notify a Watch Office as to their location. During the U.S. State of the Union address, the COGCON is raised to this level and a cabinet member is the "Designated Survivor."
COGCON 2 calls for deployment to a relocation facility with four hours notice.
COGCON 1 calls for the United States government to be relocated to secure, fully staffed bunkers such as the Mount Weather Emergency Operations
COGCON 4:
Federal executive branch government employees at their normal work locations. Maintain alternate facility and conduct periodic continuity readiness exercises.
COGCON 3:
Federal agencies and departments Advance Relocation Teams “warm up” their alternate sites and capabilities, which include testing communications and IT systems. Ensure that alternate facilities are prepared to receive continuity staff. Track agency leaders and successors daily.
COGCON 2:
Deployment of 50-75% of Emergency Relocation Group continuity staff to alternate locations. Establish their ability to conduct operations and prepare to perform their organization’s essential functions in the event of a catastrophic emergency.
COGCON 1:
Full deployment of designated leadership and continuity staffs to perform the organization’s essential functions from alternate facilities either as a result of, or in preparation for, a catastrophic emergency.