Harris County Releases Hurricane Harvey After Action Report
Emergency Management Partners:
Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) has released its Hurricane Harvey After Action Report (AAR) which reviews the county’s overall response efforts. The AAR was created with the input and collaboration of numerous local, state, federal, private and nonprofits organizations working at the Emergency Operations Center during the Harvey activation.
The goal was to create an AAR that followed national best practices and could be replicated in the future not only by HCOHSEM but by other jurisdictions as well. The Harvey AAR provides an analysis of best practices, strengths, and areas for improvement. Some items are quick fixes, while others will require a major long-term investment of time and money.
Some of the major strengths that were listed in the AAR as sustains include:
• Pairing civilians and resources with skilled professionals to assist with rescue operations
• Utilization of First Contact Program to provide immediate essentials
• Support from regional public safety information officers in the Regional Joint Information Center
The report also identifies some primary areas for improvement, including:
• Developing a countywide Continuity Of Operations Plan
• Training nontraditional support personnel who may be involved in disaster response operations
• Transitioning from response to recovery operations in the Emergency Operations Center
• Working with the city of Houston to address the current Donations Management strategy
Many of the lessons outlined in the report are already in place and the process for identifying the next steps will continue. HCOHSEM also conducted an AAR on Regional Joint Information Center operations, and other county departments have conducted internal reviews as well.
Many thanks to all partners that collaborated to create this important document.
Barb Graff shared the link and information above.
