What is the main goal of conducting an After Action Review after an incident?

Conducting an After Action Review (AAR) is essential for fostering improvement in future responses and strategies. The primary focus of an AAR is to analyze an incident to identify what went well, what didn’t, and how different tactics impacted the outcome. This process allows responders to gather feedback and insights that can lead to better planning, coordination, and execution of responses in similar situations in the future.

By emphasizing learning and continuous improvement, the AAR helps organizations adjust their strategies, refine their procedures, and enhance the training of personnel. This ultimately contributes to more effective incident management, thereby increasing safety and efficiency during actual operations.

The focus is not primarily on finalizing the incident or critiquing individual performance, although those aspects may be included in the review process. Additionally, while regulatory compliance can be a component of the review, it is not the main goal; the emphasis is on learning and improvement rather than meeting external mandates.