Your Department’s Mission Essential Functions
Mission Essential Functions (MEFs) are those functions that must be performed or completed by your department, even during emergencies.
Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) are those time frames within which functions, activities and/or services must be restored after a disaster (or disruption) in order to avoid unacceptable consequences.
MEF’s are classified under one of three tiers, based on the functions level of importance and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO):
- Tier 1: Critical functions that must be continued at normal or increased service These functions cannot be paused and are necessary due to life, health, safety or security concerns :
- High criticality
- Extreme time sensitivity
RTO: Tier 1 services should be recovered in the first eight hours
- Tier 2: Very Important functions, Tier 2 services, while not highly critical, are nonetheless very important to the organization. Tier 2 functions must be continued if at all possible:
- Important
- Somewhat flexible, not constrained by immediate need to address
RTO: Tier 2 services should be recovered in eight to 24 hours
- Tier 3: Those functions/activities/services that can usually be deferred without compromising the integrity of the organization as a result.
RTO: Tier 3 services should be resumed in 30 days or less.
Identify your department’s MEFs, including Tier and RTO.
In addition to identifying the Mission Essential Function, identify the person(s) responsible for them and alternate person(s). If the MEF is performed by all personnel assigned to a particular group/division, identify the group or division, e.g.: MEF: Lawn maintenance; Tier: 3; RTO: 2 weeks; Person (s) responsible: Grounds Crew, Facilities Department.