Learn, Improve, Protect: Boost Your Agency’s Performance with After-Action Review Training

An After-Action Review (AAR) is typically conducted following a critical incident, although it can also be completed on a more informal basis in the form of a debrief or hot wash following minor incidents or arrests. An AAR is conducted to allow responding officers to reflect on what happened, what did not work during the response and why, and how to improve weaknesses while building on what went well in order to sustain strengths.

Many law enforcement agencies use AARs and when done properly they can be an incredibly effective learning tool. The AAR can be very beneficial when administered as an open and honest exchange of ideas and observations among team members and when it is used to to convey a commitment to identifying solutions. It can also be useful for providing feedback to improve performance and to recognize a job well done.

Research Shows High-Performing Agencies Use AARs

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) recently completed the second year of three-year a research study with Benchmark Analytics to utilize predictive analysis to identify key risk factors facing Trust member law enforcement agencies and to provide evidence-based recommendations for approaches to address these risks. One of the leading findings of the research addressed AARs. The research showed a strong correlation to a reduction in both liability and workers’ compensation claims for agencies that had established an extensive AAR process.    

LMCIT to Offer AAR Training

LMCIT is sponsoring training this October to assist our members in learning more about the importance of AARs and how to conduct them. In this half-day workshop for public safety professionals, participants will learn how to improve their agency’s response to incidents and promote first responder and community safety. 

By attending the workshop, you will gain an increased understanding of the importance of conducting both informal debriefs and formal AARs by instilling a culture of continuous learning. This low-cost training will be led by Jennifer Zeunik, former senior director of safety and justice programs at the National Policing Institute (NPI), and Rick Braziel, former chief of the Sacramento Police Department.

The training is available at two locations: Oct. 1 in St. Cloud and Oct. 2 in Cottage Grove. Learn more about the AAR training and register.

Additional Resources Available to Help Your Agency Develop an AAR Process

There are several resources available that can assist your agency in developing its own AAR process. The resources below also provide best-practice recommendations to maintain a professional and trusting environment, as the focus of any AAR process needs to be on learning and improvement, including individual performance and training along with a recognition and rewards program.   

• How to Conduct an After-Action Review (COPS/National Police Foundation)
• After-Action Review (International Association of Chiefs of Police) 
• Risk Management in Law Enforcement – Discussions on identifying and mitigating risk for officers, departments, and the public (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Planning for Critical Incident Responses and Model Policy (League of Minnesota Cities)
• Evidence-Based Practice Quick Start Guide: After-Action Reviews (League of Minnesota Cities) - contact me at the info below if you would like a copy

If you have any specific comments or questions or would like a copy of these resources — including the Quick Start Guide — emailed to you, contact me at tstille@lmc.org or (651) 215-4051.

In the meantime, stay safe!   

Tracy

Mental Health Is a Continuous Journey: Reflections on a Career in Public Safety

Guest post by Lora Setter, LMCIT public safety program coordinator

Lora Setter, 1986

I vividly remember one night tucking my young daughter (who’s now an adult) into her bed. As I leaned down to hug and kiss her, her head pressed against my chest, and she looked up at me with anxious eyes and said, “Mommy be careful.” When I hugged her, she felt the metal plate that was in front of my bulletproof vest. After putting her to bed, I was heading out the door to work the night shift as a police officer.

It made me sad that my baby girl went to bed worried that her mommy could get hurt and may not come home. As a parent I wanted to calm her fears and so I assured her I would be safe. Thankfully, I stayed true to my word. Sadly, we know that’s not true for everyone in public safety. A recent Star Tribune article sounded the alarm about “rising attacks on law enforcement.” This disturbing headline should concern anyone who values the role public safety plays in our communities.  

Another less publicized concern is the number of public safety people who die by their own hands from untreated mental illness. Many wounds suffered by public safety people are invisible. Even if they make it home physically, they may not come home mentally. We know that due to the nature of their job duties, public safety personnel are at increased risk of trauma-related mental illness, like depression, anxiety, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Normalize the conversation around mental health

The first step in helping public safety people stay mentally well is to normalize the conversation. When I was an officer, those struggling on the job or at home didn’t talk about it openly out of fear of losing their job or the respect of their colleagues. Cops, firefighters, and other emergency personnel were expected to be tough and just “rub a little dirt on it.” We know now that isn’t the answer. 

Recently, three brave officers shared their stories of suffering and recovering from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring mental health challenges in a powerful video. The video also highlights a police chief who talks about the support he gave an officer who came forward revealing that he suffered from mental illness. The chief helped his officer get the treatment he needed, which eventually saved the officer’s career. We can prevent harm by creating cultures of openness and wellness, where public safety personnel are encouraged to talk about their struggles. 

June is PTSD Awareness Month

I’ve been collaborating with a cross-section of organizations over the past three years to bring awareness to the issue of public safety mental health, while promoting acceptance, prevention, and treatment. The three pillars of the MN Public Safety Wellness Initiative are Accept – Prevent – Treat. I’m pleased to report that we’ve seen brave leaders, individuals and departments leading this change in agencies across the state. 

June is PTSD Awareness month and June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day. It’s a time to shine a light on the issue of public safety mental health. But it’s important to remember that wellness is a continuous journey. It never stops. Public safety people are some of the most resilient people, but resiliency is not static. It’s a variable skill that needs constant attention and support.

Hope for the future

Lora Setter, 2023

The physical and mental well-being of our public safety people should be of paramount concern for every community member. As I prepare to retire from my role in public safety wellness, my hope for the future is that every first responder has the support and care they need to stay well – so moms and dads who choose a career in the noble profession of public safety can confidently assure their children that they will be safe both physically and mentally.    

New Emergency Response Guidebook Now Available

Guest post by LMCIT Public Safety Specialist Troy Walsh

Public safety folks — there is a newly updated version of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) updates the ERG every four years, and the 2024 version and mobile application are now available. DOT’s goal is to place an ERG in every public emergency service vehicle nationwide. 

Recently, the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hosted a webinar to discuss and address challenges, successes, and trends for improvement in hazardous materials (hazmat) preparedness and suggest actions to strengthen hazmat preparedness throughout the United States. It is important that you utilize the newest ERG as it will have the current evacuation zones during a release, the most recent first-aid procedures for medical emergencies, and many other items related to hazmat response. 

Local public safety departments can request the printed guidebooks from your local or state emergency management organizations, or you can download the 2024 ERG from the DOT website. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at twalsh@lmc.org or (651) 281-1231. 

Remember:   Responder Safety = Public Safety

In the meantime, stay safe!

Troy