City of San José
COVID-19 After Action
Report
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
City Council
Presentation
KIP HARKNESS
RAYMOND RIORDAN
SUSIE SCHMITZ
PRESENTERS:
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 1
After Action Report Overview & Content
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 2
Purpose of the After Action Report
City of San José COVID-19 AAR
• Memorialize efforts
• Meet federal requirements
• Enhance ability to respond to future incidents
3 After Action Report Overview
• Time period covered: November 2020 to 2022
• December 2019: Pandemic Response
Plan referenced
• January 24, 2020: Pandemic Response
Team initiated
• May 4, 2021: Operational Assessment
Report covering January to October
2020 was adopted by City Council
City of San José COVID-19 AAR
4 Notable Strength Example 1
• Finding 2.2: City Council sessions shifted to virtual. • City bodies were able to continue their business.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 5
Notable Strength Example 2
• Finding 4.1: Most communication
that provided critical information
was translated into multiple
languages.
• City communication
activities prioritized health
equity for its entire
population.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR
6 Notable Strength Example 3
• Finding 5.2: The City effectively communicated food distribution services to the public.
• There was a peak of nearly eight million meals distributed in October 2020 and consistently close to five million meals distributed through 2021 and 2022.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 7
Notable Strength Example 4
• Finding 6.1: The City
created a Vaccine
Campaign Task Force
and supported County
vaccination efforts.
• By 7/19/2021,
85% San José
residents were
vaccinated with
at least one
dose.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR
San José Social Media Vaccination Campaign https://knightfoundation.org/wp- content/uploads/2021/07/20jul2021_Knight-x-SanJose-_COVID19-Vaccine-Program-Pilot-Case-Study- submitted.pdf
8 Notable Strength Example 5
• Finding 8.1: The housing and homeless response team further refined and strengthened its relationship with the County while quickly adapting shelter programs.
• Created a hotline to assist people in finding available shelters and options for medical respite.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 9
Overview of the Improvement Plan
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 10
Improvement Plan Purpose
City of San José COVID-19 AAR
• Key recommendations identified
• Quality improvement and learning
• Prepare the City for future disaster responses
• Avoid repeating the same errors
11 Notable Recommendation 1
• Area for Improvement 1.4: There was limited training or qualification requirements for EOC staff.
• Recommendation 1.4.1: Multi-Year Training and Exercise Plan • Progress: Multi-Year Training and Exercise Plan was approved by the Emergency Management Working Group in December 2022.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 12
Notable Recommendation 2
• Area for Improvement 1.7: There were conflicting job duty expectations on staff working within the EOC.
• Recommendation 1.7.1: Within the Continuity of Operations Plan for the City, consider identifying the number/type of continuity personnel needed to maintain essential functions and the number/type of response personnel needed.
• Progress: This recommendation is underway as of December 2022 as the City of San José Continuity of Operations Plan is updated.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 13
Notable Recommendation 3
• Area for Improvement 2.5: The library system was expected to reopen without the appropriate staff available.
• Recommendation 2.5.1: Explore working with City departments to expand the number of people who may be sent to the EOC in the event of an activation.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 14
Notable Recommendation 4
• Area for Improvement 3.4: Staff experienced burnout.
• Recommendation 3.4.1: Work with Human Resources and Office of Employee Relations to create guidance.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 15
Notable Recommendation 5
• Area for Improvement 8.3: City staff reported lacking the resources to adequately support people with disabilities and individuals with Access and Functional Needs.
• Recommendation 8.3.1: Identify ways to improve staff’s ability to support persons with disabilities and individuals with Access and Functional Needs.
• Progress: Disability Affairs Officer is scheduled to work with an external contractor to train all City staff on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and accessibility.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 16
Notable Recommendation 6
• Area for Improvement: 10.3: As staff shifted from response activities to day- to-day job duties, it was difficult to add recovery activities to staff responsibilities.
• Recommendation 10.3.2: Explore necessary training for staff members performing community recovery roles or provided just-in- time training.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 17
Next Steps
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 18
Next Steps
Recommendation: Accept the 2023 COVID-19 After Action Report and Improvement Plan.
Evaluation and Reporting: The Office of Emergency Management will provide regular updates on After Action Report and Improvement Plan recommendations progress to the Emergency Management Working Group Operations Team. It will also provide an update every August as part of the Office of Emergency Management Work Plan Priorities Annual Report presented to the Public Safety, Finance, and Strategic Support Committee.
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 19
20 • Emergency Operations
Center Staff
• Field Staff
• Community Partners
Thank You…
City of San José COVID-19 AAR 2121