The Council of State Archivists (CoSA) developed the two courses listed below as part of its Intergovernmental Preparedness for Essential Records (IPER) Project which was funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Both courses were originally developed as instructor-led webinars then adapted for self-directed instruction.

There are two main IPER courses: Essential Records and Records Emergency Planning and Response. Together they are designed to prepare state and local governments to protect records before, during, and after disasters and other emergencies. The courses focus especially on those records that are essential for the resumption of government operations after a disaster, a critical consideration in continuity of operations (COOP) planning.

The IPER courses are targeted at state, local, and regional government employees who are responsible for creating and maintaining government records of any kind and in any format (both paper and electronic), including city and county clerks, recorders, administrators, COOP and emergency preparedness personnel, and information technology staff.

Please note: The courses below should be viewed using Internet Explorer. Other browsers may report errors or warnings but will still allow you to continue the course.

Essential Records Online Course

Navigation Tutorial

Navigation Tutorial

Course Introduction

Introduction

Module 1: Identify Essential Records

Module 1 Introduction

Lesson 1: Distinguish Between a Nonessential Record and an Essential Record

Lesson 2: Identify Essential Records by Examining Critical Business Needs & Functions

Module 1 Summary

Module 2: Protect Essential Records

Module 2 Introduction

Lesson 1: Identify and Evaluate Hazards and Risks

Lesson 2: Determine and Evaluate Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies

Module 2 Summary

Module 3: Access Essential Records

Module 3 Introduction

Lesson 1: Ensure Access to Essential Records

Module 3 Summary

Module 4: The Essential Records Template

Module 4 Introduction

Lesson 1: The Essential Records Template

Module 4 Summary

Course Summary

Summary and Next Steps

Records Emergency Planning and Response Online Course

Navigation Tutorial

Navigation Tutorial

Course Introduction

Introduction

Module 1: Preparing a REAP

Module 1 Introduction

Lesson 1: Overview of Emergency Planning and the REAP

Lesson 2: Planning for the REAP

Lesson 3: Developing the REAP

Lesson 4: Maintaining the REAP

Module 1 Summary

Module 2: Records Emergency Response and Recovery

Module 2 Introduction

Lesson 1: Assessing the Damage to Records

Lesson 2: Developing the Response

Lesson 3: Implementing the Response

Lesson 4: Recovery Procedures

Module 2 Summary

Course Summary

Summary and Next Steps