A written narrative is generally expected from each function of an Incident Management Team. Commonly, the narratives are joined into an Executive Summary or a Summary of Management Activities that is packaged and presented to the hosting unit at the close out of the team’s assignment. Increasingly, though, when teams collect narratives for the summary the most commonly requested item is “Lessons Learned.”
Sunset Canyon Narrative 2006 – This one-page information unit summary covers the subjects of public relations and internal communications and what challenges the unit had in sustaining any of its services. The summary also includes facts like the miles of trapline covered, and feedback from the communities involved.
After Action Review Rollup – The most valuable lessons learned at an incident can be lost if they remain undocumented and unshared among our peers. That is why, in the effort to excel at being a learning organization, all members of the wildland fire community are encouraged to follow this simple format in conducting their unit reviews. Aside from the standard reporting, this technique allows us to discuss on an open, equal platform the most significant issues that can be extracted from our experiences and develop them into a form that will be shared widely.
AAR Tips & Tactics Sheet – If you have never conducted an after action review, this sheet will help to acquaint you with the process and terminology. This process is a natural for inclusion in the information unit function.
