You are here

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

Government organizations, including the Federal Judiciary, have the ethical responsibility for the safety of their employees and the legal obligation to the people of the Nation to be able to continue to operate in a prudent and efficient manner during an impending or existing threat, or following the occurrence of a major disaster.

The creation of a Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan provides policy, responsibilities, procedures, and planning guidance for ensuring the ability of the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Vermont to continue its essential functions when the use of the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Vermont at The Post Office Building, 151 West Street, Rutland, Vermont is threatened or diminished.

Should the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont need to implement its Continuity of Operations Plan for any reason, emergency information regarding the status of the Court will be posted on this page as soon as practical.

Until updates can be made to this page, there are other ways the court will be able to communicate with court staff, practitioners, and the public regarding efforts to mitigate the disaster facing the court.

   1. If possible, the court will record a message on the phone system at its main number (802) 776-2000, describing the situation and identifying ways for the public to file emergency documents should electronic filing not be available.

   2. If our ability to send electronic mail is not operational, the Court has made an arrangement with Mr. Lee Suskin, Court Administrator of the Vermont Supreme Court, to provide a group email to the Vermont Bar upon request.

   3. Where practical, the Court will also provide the local radio station (WJJR FM 98.1) and Vermont Public Radio with information regarding our situation. However, since the local radio station is also located in downtown Rutland in close proximity to the Court, it is possible that the Rutland radio station could also be affected by the same disaster.

   4. Finally, the Court also has access to an Agency Recorded Message Announcement (ARMA) for COOP situations. This toll free number will also be used to disseminate information should normal telephone service be unavailable. The District of Vermont ARMA number is (866) 588-3502. After the introductory message, press 2 for information regarding the Bankruptcy Court.