It is essential that a continuity training, testing, and exercise program be developed, implemented, and maintained to ensure the integrity of the Continuity Program. A training strategy should be developed which addresses the following five critical questions:

1. Who should be trained?
2. What tasks should they be trained to perform?
3. Which training instruction/delivery methods should be utilized to maximize success?
4. What methods are most capable of evaluating competency and performance upon completion of the training?
5. How will gaps in knowledge and application be identified, documented, and remedied in future training opportunities?

Cal OES hosts, facilitates, and coordinates training opportunities for continuity practitioners throughout California.

View below upcoming continuity trainings and workshops.

Cal OES Annual Continuity Workshops

Cal OES hosts annual Continuity Workshops that focuses on the need to assist continuity and technology recovery planners with information, abilities, and skills to design, conduct and evaluate continuity resumption exercises. The workshops provide a linkage between organizational resiliency and developing trusted partnerships in achieving a unified preparedness mission for the purpose of statewide resiliency.

• Spring Continuity Workshop
  • Cancelled due to Cal OES staff ongoing support of the response and recovery efforts for the Southern California Wildfires.
• Fall Continuity Workshop 
  • Date: October 22, 2025
    Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Location: Cal OES Mather HQ, Mather, CA 95655
    Registration will be posted by July 2025.

Cal OES Continuity 101 Trainings

Continuity 101 Trainings are one of the many ways that the Continuity Planning Team supports State Agencies and Departments with continuity planning efforts. This 2-hour training is designed for newer continuity practitioners and introduces industry standard planning processes. At the conclusion of the training, participants will have the basic tools to facilitate continuity of operations (COOP) planning at their organization. In addition to our state partners this is also a training that can assist continuity planners at the regional and local levels of government.

• Held virtually every first Monday of the month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
  Email Continuity@CalOES.ca.gov for the meeting link.

Cal OES Continuity Support Hours

Looking to stop by and ask a few questions? The Cal OES Continuity Planning Team hosts Continuity Support Hours to provide assistance to our continuity community. Join us!

• Date: February 19, 2025 (9:00 – 10:00 am, Virtual, MS Teams link)
• Date: May 14, 2025 (9:00 – 10:30 am, Virtual, MS Teams link)
• Date: August 20, 2025
  Time: 9:00 – 10:00 am
  Location: Virtual
  Registration link will be posted July 2025.

 The FEMA Continuity Excellence Series (CES)

FEMA CES certificate program enables practitioners to develop and enhance their continuity knowledge and expertise. Completion of these series demonstrate extraordinary dedication. Some courses are offered in a web-based independent study (IS) setting to allow students an opportunity to expand their knowledge at their own pace. Other courses are facilitated by instructors, please refer to the FEMA Continuity Excellence Series – Professional and Master Practitioner Continuity Certificate Programs. View below for upcoming facilitated courses.

FEMA Continuity Excellence Series – Level I

Designed for newer practitioners to develop knowledge and understanding of continuity. Click here for courses and prerequisites, see below for facilitated trainings.

IS-1300: Introduction to Continuity of Operations – Lays the foundation for students who wish to increase their understanding of continuity and continuity programs (This is a self-paced independent study online course).

E/L/K-1301: Continuity Planning: Assists continuity practitioners with understanding their continuity roles and responsibilities, and increases their knowledge, skills, and the tools necessary to develop and maintain a viable continuity plan.

• L-1301, Cal OES, TBD 2025
• K-1301, FEMA, Jul 08 – 11 / 8:00 am – 12:00 pm PT (Virtual), Register with FEMA

E/L/K-1302: Continuity Program Management: Assists continuity program managers with understanding their roles and responsibilities and provides resources to help develop continuity capabilities for their organizations.

• L-1302, Cal OES, TBD 2025
• K-1302, FEMA, Jul 28 – 30 / 8:00 am – 12:00 pm PT (Virtual), Register with FEMA

FEMA Continuity Excellence Series – Level II

Designed for experienced practitioners to deepen their knowledge to strengthen continuity leaders. Click here for courses and prerequisites, see below for facilitated trainings.

**NOTICE: IS-156 has been retired without a replacement and is no longer an official requirement for FEMA CES Level II certificate requests.**

Instructor Training (MGT-323, PER-266, L-141, CSTI Emergency Management Instructor Course (EMIC) course schedules are on the CSTI State Training Bulletin or email Continuity@caloes.ca.gov for assistance.

• N/A

Choose your own adventure:

• Capstone: Please email FEMA-Continuity-Practitioner@fema.dhs.gov for more information on completing this requirement.
• Assist Instruction: Please email Continuity@caloes.ca.gov for more information on completing this requirement.

Interested in becoming a FEMA Continuity Cadre Instructor?

With hundreds of continuity planners, managers, and coordinators within the State of California, there are less than a handful of FEMA Continuity instructors to teach them all.

Submit an email request to Continuity@caloes.ca.gov with interest in becoming a FEMA Continuity Instructor and join the California Continuity Instructor Cadre!

Looking for Continuity Cadre Train-the-Trainer (T-t-T) dates? Let us know you need a seat!

Workshop Series #1
1301 TtT Sep. 3 – 5, 2025 / 8:00 am – 1:00 pm PT via Zoom
1302 TtT Sep. 29 – October 1, 2025 / 8:00 am -12:00 pm PT via Zoom

Workshop Series #2
1301 TtT Dec. 3 – 5, 2025 / 8:00 am – 1:00 pm PT via Zoom
1302 TtT Jan. 7 – 9, 2026 / 8:00 am -12:00 pm PT via Zoom

Note: Both TtT workshops are required; 1301 must be taken before 1302.