COGCON – Continuity of Government Readiness Condition

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This article references parts of the story in my fiction books, The Meadow Protocol and book 2, The Brush, part of The Continuity Chronicles series. Available in my store for signed paperback and hard copies for from Amazon to include Kindle and Audible. COGCON (Continuity of Government Readiness Condition) is a U.S. federal government alert system that tracks and escalates the readiness of executive branch agencies to maintain essential functions during emergencies or threats to the National Capital Region (NCR). Established under National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51, signed May 4, 2007, by President George W. Bush), it is analogous to DEFCON but focuses on civilian government continuity rather than military force posture. COGCON ensures the activation of shadow government elements, relocation of key personnel, and deployment of Emergency Relocation Groups (ERGs) to alternate facilities (e.g., Mount Weather, Raven Rock). Levels are determined solely by the President and are not publicly announced for security reasons. The system is detailed in Federal Continuity Directive 1 (FCD-1) and the National Continuity Plan, emphasizing incremental increases in staffing, survivability, and responsiveness. COGCON operates independently but influences other systems like DEFCON (military readiness) and FPCON (force protection). It was tested in exercises like Eagle...