How do you share Emergency Operations Center lessons with other emergency managers?

1 Identify your audience

Before you start sharing your EOC lessons, you need to identify who your target audience is and what their needs and expectations are. Different audiences may have different levels of interest, familiarity, and access to your EOC information. For example, your local partners may want to know more about the operational details and challenges of your EOC, while your state or federal counterparts may be more interested in the strategic outcomes and recommendations. You may also need to consider the sensitivity and confidentiality of some EOC data and how to protect it.

2 Choose your format

Depending on your audience and objectives, you may choose different formats and channels to share your EOC lessons. Common formats include After Action Reports (AARs), Lessons Learned Databases (LLDs), and webinars and workshops. AARs are formal documents that summarize the objectives, activities, results, strengths, weaknesses, and improvement actions of your EOC operation. LLDs are online platforms that store, organize, search, and access EOC lessons from various sources and events. Webinars and workshops are interactive sessions that allow you to present and discuss your EOC lessons with a specific or general audience. All of these options are useful for engaging your audience, providing a comprehensive overview of your EOC performance, creating a searchable repository of knowledge and best practices, and exchanging ideas and experiences. You can use existing tools such as the FEMA Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS) system or create your own using tools such as Google Docs or SharePoint.

3 Follow the SMART criteria

Regardless of the format you choose, you should follow the SMART criteria to ensure that your EOC lessons are clear, relevant, and actionable. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Your EOC lessons should be precise and concise, avoiding vague or general statements. Additionally, they should be quantifiable and verifiable, using data and indicators to support your claims. It is also essential to make sure that your EOC lessons are realistic and feasible with the available resources, capabilities, and constraints. Moreover, they should be aligned with the goals and objectives of your EOC operation and the needs and expectations of your audience. Finally, your EOC lessons should have a clear timeline and deadline indicating when and how they should be implemented and evaluated.

4 Share and apply your EOC lessons

Finally, you should share and apply your EOC lessons to improve your EOC performance and readiness for future events. You can share your EOC lessons with your audience using various methods, such as email, social media, newsletters, websites, or conferences. You should also solicit feedback and input from your audience and incorporate them into your EOC improvement actions. You should also monitor and evaluate the implementation and impact of your EOC lessons and make adjustments as needed. By sharing and applying your EOC lessons, you can enhance your EOC capabilities, strengthen your EOC partnerships, and increase your EOC resilience.

5 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?