How do you learn from other Emergency Operations Centers?

1 Benchmark your EOC

One way to learn from other EOCs is to benchmark your own EOC against them. Benchmarking is the process of comparing your EOC's performance, processes, and practices with those of other EOCs that have similar goals, functions, and contexts. Benchmarking can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities for improvement and innovation. You can benchmark your EOC by using standardized tools, such as the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) or the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), or by developing your own criteria and metrics.

2 Visit other EOCs

Another way to learn from other EOCs is to visit them in person or virtually. Visiting other EOCs can give you a firsthand look at how they operate, what challenges they face, and what solutions they implement. You can also interact with their staff, managers, and partners, and exchange ideas, insights, and feedback. You can visit other EOCs during normal operations, exercises, or real events, depending on the availability and willingness of the host EOC. You can also arrange for reciprocal visits, where you invite other EOCs to visit your EOC.

3 Join EOC networks

A third way to learn from other EOCs is to join EOC networks, such as associations, forums, or communities of practice. EOC networks are groups of EOCs that share a common interest, purpose, or challenge, and that communicate and collaborate regularly. EOC networks can provide you with access to valuable resources, such as best practices, lessons learned, case studies, templates, and tools. They can also offer you opportunities to participate in joint activities, such as training, exercises, or projects.

4 Conduct after action reviews

A fourth way to learn from other EOCs is to conduct after action reviews (AARs) after each event or exercise. AARs are structured debriefings that allow you to evaluate your EOC's performance, identify what worked well and what did not, and determine what actions need to be taken to improve. AARs can also help you capture and share your EOC's experiences, challenges, and solutions with other EOCs. You can conduct AARs internally, with your own EOC staff and partners, or externally, with other EOCs that were involved or interested in the same event or exercise.

5 Seek feedback and advice

A fifth way to learn from other EOCs is to seek feedback and advice from them. Feedback and advice are forms of constructive input that can help you improve your EOC's performance, processes, and practices. You can seek feedback and advice from other EOCs by asking specific questions, requesting peer reviews, or soliciting recommendations. You can also provide feedback and advice to other EOCs when they ask for it, or when you have something valuable to share.

Learning from other EOCs is a key way to enhance your EOC's capabilities, effectiveness, and resilience. By benchmarking, visiting, joining, conducting, and seeking, you can learn from the experiences, challenges, and solutions of other EOCs, and apply them to your own EOC. You can also contribute to the collective learning and improvement of the EOC community.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?