Mayor Freddie O'Connell Executive Order Number 060

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Freddie O'Connell, Mayor

Executive Order 60

Subject: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Program

I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:

I. There is hereby created and established a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (“BCDR”) Program for the Metropolitan Government.

II. Purpose and Importance.

Maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, technology systems, and critical operational processes is essential to the Metropolitan Government’s BCDR Program. These efforts ensure that the Metropolitan Government meets its obligations during and after disruptive events, including:

1. ensuring the continuity of government operations and public services;
2. protecting the integrity of government data, systems, and infrastructure;
3. minimizing the impact of disruptions on residents, businesses, and stakeholders; and
4. complying with applicable federal, state, and local regulations regarding emergency preparedness and data protection.

III. Departmental Responsibility.

The heads of all Metropolitan Government departments, agencies, and commissions shall be responsible for business continuity and disaster recovery planning within their organizations. This includes safeguarding the information and systems used to support essential services and ensuring recovery capabilities are in place and tested.

IV. Program Oversight.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) shall be responsible for program oversight and shall work with Metropolitan Government departments to develop, disseminate, review, and update the program. These resources will support departments in meeting their continuity and recovery obligations.

The program shall include:

1. standardized policies and templates across the Metropolitan Government;
2. business impact analysis to identify critical functions and dependencies;
3. critical services inventory for each department;
4. disaster recovery plans for information technology systems and infrastructure;
5. risk assessments and mitigation strategies;
6. training and exercises to validate plans and readiness; and
7. annual review and updates to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

V. Department Accountability.

All Metropolitan Government departments shall be responsible and accountable for supporting the goals of the program by:

1. participating in training and tabletop exercises;
2. developing and maintaining BCDR policies, procedures, standards, and critical services inventory minimally on an annual basis; and
3. identifying a liaison to OEM.

Departments shall allocate appropriate financial and human resources to support BCDR planning and implementation. The Metropolitan Government shall pursue federal and state grants where available to enhance program capabilities.

VI. Metropolitan Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Steering Committee.

To ensure effective governance and oversight, a Metropolitan Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Steering Committee (“Steering Committee”) is hereby established to advise OEM on disaster recovery policies, standards, and practices.

A. Functions of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee shall:

1. recommend updates to minimum recovery requirements for departments and agencies;
2. provide advice on BCDR standards and practices;
3. promote awareness and training related to BCDR;
4. recommend performance measures to assess effectiveness; and
5. review and advise on exception requests to the Metropolitan Government’s BCDR policies.

B. Membership of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee shall consist of nine (9) permanent voting members:

1. Director of OEM;
2. Chief of the Fire Department;
3. Director of the Department of Water and Sewerage Services;
4. Director of the Information Technology Services Department;
5. Director of the Department of General Services;
6. Chief of the Police Department;
7. Director of Justice Integration Services;
8. Director of the Health Department; and
9. Director of the Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure.

Steering Committee members may identify designees from their respective departments to attend meetings on their behalf and vote. The Director of OEM shall be the chair of the Steering Committee. Steering Committee members shall elect one of its members as vice chair and another as secretary. Employees of the Mayor’s Office and Department of Finance may attend Steering Committee meetings as non-voting advisors. The Director of Law or a designee from the Department of Law shall serve as legal advisor to the Steering Committee.

C. Meetings of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee shall hold meetings quarterly or as requested by the Mayor or Chair. Five (5) members of the Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of meeting and transacting business.

The Steering Committee shall further hold an annual meeting with department heads, the Director of Finance, and the Mayor to review program status, risks, incidents, and awareness efforts. The Steering Committee shall publish an annual update that is provided to the Metropolitan Council.

Ordered, Effective, and Issued: June 18, 2026

Freddie O’Connell

Metropolitan County Mayor