Georgia Emergency Management
and Homeland Security Agency
Writing the Exercise After Action Report (AAR)
After Action Report (AAR)
What is an AAR?
Feedback for participating jurisdictions on their
performance during an exercise that can:
o Assess preparedness
o Identify needed resources and support
AAR includes:
o Summary of what happened
o Analysis of performance of essential activities
o Analysis of major strengths and areas for
improvement
o Recommendations for improvements based on
analysis
Gathering Information for the AAR
Observations come from a variety of sources,
including:
o Event logs
o Video or audio recordings
o Evaluator notes
o Photographs
o Exercise Evaluation Guides
o Post-exercise Hot Wash
o After Action Meeting
Elements of an AAR
o Executive Overview
o Exercise Summary
o Analysis of Objectives
o Conclusion
o Supporting Documentation
Objectives
Keep in mind: Objectives drive the
exercise and the AAR!
Objectives also drive a “real event”.
Is there a difference?
Exercise Overview
Should clearly identify:
o the exercise name, date(s), location(s), exercise
type, and scope;
o objectives, threat/hazard, and scenario;
o sponsor, participating local governmental and
non-governmental agencies, mutual-aid
jurisdictions, state and federal partners;
o and point(s) of contact.
Executive Summary
Provides a general overview of the goals, purpose
and objectives of the exercise.
When writing the Executive Summary:
o Executive Summary may be the only part of the AAR/IP
that some people will read;
o State full name of exercise and provide a brief overview of
the exercise;
o Discuss why the exercise was conducted; the exercise
objectives; and what capabilities, activities, and scenario(s)
were tested/used;
o Executive Summary can also summarize any high-level
observations that cut across multiple capabilities.
Executive Summary Continued
Exercise and Real Event:
o summarize the scenario or situation initially
presented to players;
o subsequent key events introduced into play;
o the time in which these events occurred.
Analysis of Objectives
o Should list the exercise objectives
o Reviews the performance of the exercised
capabilities, activities, and tasks.
o Each activity is followed by related
observations, which include references,
analysis, and recommendations.
Improvement Plan Matrix Examples
Primary
Issue/Area for Organization Completion
Objective Corrective Action Responsible Start Date
Improvement POC Date
Organization
Objective 1 1. [Area for [Corrective
Improvement] Action 1]
[Corrective
Action 2]
[Corrective
Action 3]
2. [Area for [Corrective
Improvement] Action 1]
[Corrective
Action 2]
Objective 1 1. [Area for [Corrective
Improvement] Action 1]
[Corrective
Action 2]
[Corrective
Action 3]
2. [Area for [Corrective
Improvement] Action 1]
[Corrective
Action 2]
Should address both short- and long-term goals.
Conclusion
o Should summarize the entire report
o Lessons learned
o Major recommendations
o Summary of steps that should be taken to
correct shortfalls.
o Improvement plan
Supporting Documentation
o Participant Lists
o Participant Feedback
o Lessons Learned
o If reporting a real event, must have third-party
documentation:
• Newspaper article
• Weather report of event
Questions?
Now It’s Your Turn
With the information provided, write an Exercise
Overview within your group.
Select a group spokesperson to report out.
Now It’s Your Turn
With the information provided write an
Executive Summary within your group.
Select a group spokesperson to report out.
Now It’s Your Turn
With the information provided write an Analysis
of objectives within your group.
Select a group spokesperson to report out.
Now It’s Your Turn
With the information provided write a
Conclusion within your group.
Select a group spokesperson to report out.
Now Its Your Turn
With the information provided create an
improvement plan within your group.
Select a group spokesperson to report out.
Reporting an Exercise on WebEOC
https://gema.webeocasp.com/gema/default.aspx
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
Reporting an Exercise
HSEEP Toolkit
https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/hseep-resources
We Can Help
Mandy Juarez – Exercise Specialist
404 624 2362
Mandy.Juarez@GEMA.GA.GOV
Kevin Johnson – Exercise Specialist
404 635 7204
Kevin.Johnson@GEMA.GA.GOV
