After-Action Reports & Improvement Plans

quality AAR/IP development process

After-Action Reports (AAR) & Improvement Plans (IP)

After-Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) are a necessity for continuous improvement. While they are a standard for exercises, AAR/IPs for incidents and events are not developed as often as they should. The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) provides guidance for developing AAR/IPs for exercises, but this guidance is not directly transferable to incidents and events.

Emergency Preparedness Solutions™® (EPS) has developed a quality AAR/IP process for incidents and events, applying the HSEEP concepts using means and methods that address the needs of incidents and events. Our process involves extensive coordination of stakeholders; information discovery through interviews, focus groups, document reviews, and surveys; and the development of recommended corrective actions based on a detailed assessment of observations. Among other incidents and events, we have had extensive utilization of this process for the development of COVID-19 after action reports for state, private, and local government clients, providing quality AAR/IPs to support their continued improvement.

Our approach to incident AAR/IP development uses a six-step process, identified below, which is reminiscent of FEMA’s six-step planning process. The work is guided by a steering committee which will identify the priorities for evaluation within each of the domains or capabilities to be examined.


EPS’ Six Step Incident AAR Process

Our approach to incident AAR/IP development uses a six-step process, identified below, which is reminiscent of FEMA’s six-step planning process. The work is guided by a steering committee which will identify the priorities for evaluation within each of the domains or capabilities to be examined.

Form an AAR Steering Committee

Understand the Situation

Determine Evaluation Priorities

Discovery and AAR/IP Development

AAR/IP Review and Approval

AAR/IP Publication and IP Implementation

Emergency Preparedness Solutions developed EOC plans and delivered training to Provo City EOC staff professionally, timely and with great integrity. Tim’s experience in Emergency Management allows him to effectively meet the needs of local governments.

Chris Blinzinger

EMERGENCY MANAGER, PROVO CITY, UTAH

After-action reports often identify needs for updating and creating plans, training staff, and conducing exercises to validate plans and capabilities. EPS can support all these needs.