After Action Report
Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Tabletop Exercise
Solar Storm
March 4, 2013
DMINISTRATIVEEmergency
HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
New Hope Neighborhood
Preparedness Program
After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
ADMINISTRATIVE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
1. The title of this document is The "Operation Fortified Response - A Solar Storm
Tabletop Exercise Series" After Action Report.
2. The information gathered in this AAR/IP is classified as For Official Use Only
(FOUO) and should be handled as sensitive information not to be disclosed. This
document should be safeguarded, handled, transmitted, and stored in accordance
with appropriate security directives.
3. At a minimum, the attached materials will be disseminated only on a need-to-know
basis and when unattended, will be stored in a locked container or area offering
sufficient protection against theft, compromise, inadvertent access, and
unauthorized disclosure.
4. Points of Contact:
County Health Department:
Michelle Hill
Holmes County Health Department
(Office) 850-892-8021 # 1125
(E-Mail) michelle_hill@doh.state.fl.us
Exercise Director:
Chris Floyd
Disaster Resistant Communities Group LLC
(Office) 850-241-3565
(E-Mail) chrisfloyd@drc-group.com
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
CONTENTS
ADMINISTRATIVE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS ....................................................... 2
CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................. 4
SECTION 1: EXERCISE OVERVIEW ......................................................................... 5
Exercise Details ....................................................................................................... 5
Participant Information ............................................................................................. 5
SECTION 2: EXERCISE DESIGN SUMMARY ............................................................ 6
Exercise Purpose and Design .................................................................................. 6
Exercise Objectives, Capabilities and Activities ....................................................... 6
Scenario Summary................................................................................................... 6
SECTION 3: ANALYSIS OF CAPABILITIES ............................................................... 7
SECTION 4: CONCLUSION ...................................................................................... 10
APPENDIX A: IMPROVEMENT PLAN ...................................................................... 11
APPENDIX B: PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK (3 THUMBS UP – 3 THUMBS DOWN).. 12
APPENDIX C: ACRONYMS ...................................................................................... 13
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Operation Fortified Response - A Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise Series was designed
and facilitated to assess the knowledge and capabilities of the members of the
Neighborhood Emergency Prepared Program in Holmes County.
During the exercise participants:


Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Preparedness Activities
Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Response Activities
The purpose of this report is to analyze exercise results, identify strengths to be
maintained and built upon, identify potential areas for further improvement, and support
development of corrective actions.
Incorporated in Section 3: Analysis of Capabilities of this After Action Report is a
comprehensive listing of each Target Capability with its associated Major Strengths,
Primary Areas for Improvement and Improvement Recommendations
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
SECTION 1: EXERCISE OVERVIEW
Exercise Details
Exercise Name:
Operation Fortified Response - A Solar Storm Tabletop
Exercise Series
Type of Exercise:
Tabletop
Exercise Start Date:
March 4, 2013
Duration:
2 Hours
Location:
New Hope Florida
Sponsor:
Holmes County Health Department
Program: Part of an ongoing effort to measure effectiveness of Holmes County’s
Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program to plan and prepare for, respond to
and recover from a solar storm affecting the community.
Purpose: To assess the knowledge and capabilities of the members of the Holmes
County Neighborhood Emergency Prepared Program.
Mission: To gain a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Holmes
County’s Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program.
Scenario Type: Solar Storm
Participant Information
Participant
Location
Ne Hope
Holmes County Health Department
Number of Participants 6
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
SECTION 2: EXERCISE DESIGN SUMMARY
Exercise Purpose and Design
The purpose of the exercise was to assess the knowledge and capabilities of the
members of the Holmes County Neighborhood Emergency Prepared Program.
Exercise Objectives, Capabilities and Activities
Capabilities-based planning allows for the exercise planning team to develop exercise
objectives and observe exercise outcomes through a framework of specific action items
that were derived from the Target Capabilities List (TCL). The capabilities listed below
form the foundation for the organization of all objectives and observations in this
exercise. Additionally, each capability is linked to several corresponding activities and
tasks to provide additional detail.
Based upon the identified exercise objectives below, the exercise planning team
decided to demonstrate the following capabilities during this exercise:
Neighborhood Preparedness and Disaster Operations
Activity
Target Capability
#1
Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Preparedness Activities
#2
Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Response Activities
Scenario Summary
Forecasters from the Space Weather Prediction Center have announced that the entire
North American content will begin experiencing the effects of a severe solar storm over
the next several hours.
Experts are predicting the loss of electrical utilities and communications throughout the
United States for the next 4 to 5 days or longer.
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
SECTION 3: ANALYSIS OF CAPABILITIES
Neighborhood Preparedness and Disaster Operations
Performance
Target Capability
Adequate
Activity # 1: Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Preparedness
Activities
Associated Critical Tasks
Task # 1.1: Initiative and / or coordinate preparedness activities to ensure the
safety of individuals and families residing in the neighborhood / community.
Strong
Observations
Evaluator # 1


Recommendations 
New Hope is a very strong, close knit community.
Members of the community care a great deal about one another
and about helping one another.
Continue to train and exercise on possible disaster scenarios.
Task # 1.2: Initiative and / or coordinate preparedness activities to ensure the
preservation of property within the neighborhood / community.
Adequate
Evaluator # 1

Observations


Recommendations 
Performance
Adequate
There is very strong leadership in the New Hope NEPP
community.
Community members are very knowledgeable about local
resources, strengths and limitations.
The New Hope station serves as a central location and "hub"
for the community. This is a huge asset.
Continue to train and exercise.
Target Capability
Activity # 2: Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Response
Activities
Associated Critical Tasks
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
Task # 2.1: Implement and utilize a communications system to enlist, coordinate
and direct neighborhood volunteers to meet disaster caused needs.
Adequate
Evaluator # 1


Observations

Recommendations

New Hope members were extremely creative with ideas of how
to communicate (i.e. runner on horseback) during a solar storm.
Community members are aware that the New Hope station will
be the "hub" for information during a disaster.
Multiple communication systems are available on a day to day
basis (i.e. several types of radios, cell phones, landlines, word
of mouth, e-mail, etc.)
Cell phone reception is limited in the New Hope area. However,
this is probably something that cannot be fixed at the time.
Task # 2.2 Establish the command structure to manage activities and meet
objectives.
Adequate
Observations
Recommendations
Evaluator # 1

There is very strong, experienced leadership within the New
Hope community.


Consider ICS training for New Hope members.
Missing one key person could have a large impact on the New
Hope community.
Consider training backups.

Task # 2.3: Develop and implement a prioritized Incident Action Plan designed to
maximize local human and material resources to meet the needs of neighborhood
/ community residents.
Adequate
Observations
Recommendations
Evaluator # 1


Good thoughts on what the priorities were for the community.
Creative thinking!


Continue to train and exercise on disasters.
Discussion and awareness will help prepare community
members of possible disasters that may occur.
Local resources are limited.

Task # 2.4: Implement and revise the Incident Action Plan as appropriate.
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Unsure
Observations
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
Evaluator # 1

Recommendations 
New Hope leadership appears to be very flexible and caring.
None
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
SECTION 4: CONCLUSION
Exercises such as this one allow personnel to validate training and practice strategic
and tactical prevention, protection, response and recovery capabilities in a risk-reduced
environment. Exercises are the primary tool for assessing preparedness and identifying
areas for improvement, while demonstrating community resolve to prepare for major
incidents.
Exercises aim to help entities within the community gain objective assessments of their
capabilities so that gaps, deficiencies, and vulnerabilities are addressed prior to a real
incident.
Exercises are the most effective (and safer) means to:






Assess and validate policies, plans, procedures, training, equipment,
assumptions, and interagency agreements;
Clarify roles and responsibilities;
Improve interagency coordination and communications;
Identify gaps in resources;
Measure performance; and
Identify opportunities for improvement.
This exercise succeeded in addressing all of the above as it provided examples of good
to excellent participant knowledge, teamwork, communication and use of plans and
procedures while pointing out areas in need of improvement and clarification.
Listed below is a summary of the level of performance the Target Capabilities and
Tasks evaluated during the exercise. This summary outlines the areas in which the New
Hope NEPP is strong as well as identifying areas that the departments should invest
future planning, training and exercise funds on.
Neighborhood Preparedness and Disaster Operations
Activity
Target Capability
Performance
#1
Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Preparedness
Activities
Adequate
#2
Implement / Coordinate Neighborhood Response Activities
Adequate
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
APPENDIX A: IMPROVEMENT PLAN
This Improvement Plan has been developed specifically for the New Hope NEPP based on the results of Operation
Fortified Response - A Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise Series conducted on March 4, 2013. These recommendations draw
on both the After Action Report and the After Action Conference.
Capability
Implement /
Coordinate
Neighborhood
Preparedness
Activities
Implement /
Coordinate
Neighborhood
Response
Activities
Observation
Responsible Completion
Agency
Date
Recommendation
County emergency management Continue
to
invite
county
has not participated in the NEPP emergency
management
to
program.
participate in NEPP training and
exercises so.
New Hope
NEPP
On-Going
There is a need for additional Identify
and
participate
in
training on disaster preparedness appropriate disaster preparedness
for NEPP members.
training.
New Hope
NEPP
On-Going
There is a need for additional Identify
and
participate
leadership training of all NEPP appropriate leadership training.
members.
New Hope
NEPP
On-Going
Members need to have a stronger Encourage NEPP members to
understanding
on
Incident participate in on-line ICS training
Command System (ICS) and how
it is utilized during a disaster.
New Hope
NEPP
8/1/2013
Members
need
a
stronger Conduct training on how to develop
understanding of the Incident an IAP and incorporate it in future
Action Planning (IAP) process.
disaster exercises.
New Hope
NEPP
10/1/2013
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in
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
APPENDIX B: PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
(3 THUMBS UP – 3 THUMBS DOWN)
Thumbs Up
Organization of who to contact went well.
Scenario was realistic and interesting. Different from previous exercises.
Exercise made us think.
Great leadership from Roger Deal.
Awesome scenario-fascinating!
Good discussion about inventory.
Thumbs Down
Better ways of communication.
Law enforcement presence at New Hope.
Encourage others to be prepared. Recruitment.
Continue to train.
Continue to recruit members for New Hope Watch.
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After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Operation Fortified Response Solar Storm Tabletop Exercise
APPENDIX C: ACRONYMS
Acronym
COMM
CONOPS
Meaning
Communications
Concept of Operations
EOC
Emergency Operations Center
ESF
Emergency Support Function
IAP
Incident Action Plan
IC
Incident Command
ICS
Incident Command System
IMT
Incident Management Team
JIC
Joint Information Center
LOFR
Liaison Officer
MOA
Memorandum of Agreement
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
NIMS
National Incident Management System
OPS
Operations
PIO
Public Information Officer
SERT
State Emergency Response Team
SitRep
Situation Report
SOG
Standard Operating Guideline
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
UC
Unified Command
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