This page provides a suite of templates, tools, and other resources to help you and your organization build your capacity for continuous improvement. The resources are intended for use by the whole community, including state, local, tribal, and territorial partners; nongovernmental organizations; the private sector; and other emergency management organizations.
FEMA’s Continuous Improvement Technical Assistance Program (CITAP) maintains this list of templates and resources. The CITAP team will update this list regularly, so please be sure to bookmark this page and visit frequently to access the latest continuous improvement resources.
Several of the templates and resources below are referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance. You can sort to these templates and resources using the National Continuous Improvement Guidance tags.
If you have any questions or comments on the templates and resources on this page, please reach out to the CITAP team at [email protected] .
New/Updated The resource has been newly added or updated. Coming Soon The resource is currently in development and will be uploaded here in the near future. Update Pending The resource is scheduled for an update and will be revised and re-uploaded here in the near future. Discovery The resource pertains to the Discovery Phase of the Continuous Improvement Process. The Discovery Phase focuses on collecting information from an incident that will be later used to identify strengths, areas for improvement, potential best practices, and mission critical issues. Validation The resource pertains to the Validation Phase of the Continuous Improvement Process. The Validation Phase focuses on analyzing data, identifying key findings, and developing observations. Resolution The resource pertains to the Resolution Phase of the Continuous Improvement Process. The Resolution Phase focuses on finalizing, tracking, and implementing recommended actions that are drafted during the observation development process. Evaluation The resource pertains to the Evaluation Phase of the Continuous Improvement Process. The Evaluation Phase focuses on measuring the effect of completed recommended actions to determine the extent they have strengthened the organization, institutionalized best practices, addressed areas for improvement, and/or resolved mission-critical issues After-Action Product The resource relates to an after-action product. The observations, analysis, and recommended actions developed during the continuous improvement process can be presented to stakeholders and leadership in a product, such as an after-action report, quick look report, after-action review briefing, or action plan. Incident Operations The resource relates to incident operations. During incident operations, continuous improvement professionals provide advisory support informed by past incidents and incorporate real-time analysis for emergency managers and decision makers. Process Improvement The resource relates to process improvement. Process improvement is the act of examining processes to identify opportunities to maximize efficiency and effectiveness and minimize redundancy. Some of the goals of process improvement are to reduce waste and errors, improve and increase quality of services, process reliability, lessen variation, and boost productivity. Program Management The resource relates to program management and how whole community partners can establish and manage a continuous improvement program. The resource may cover key topics related to managing a continuous improvement program, including, but not limited to, governing policies, personnel, internal program evaluation, and training. Template The resource is a template related to a continuous improvement activity. A template is a preset format for a document or file used to provide a baseline approach for users to further develop to meet the specific needs of their organizations. Partners across the whole community may use these templates as a starting point for developing their own products. Guidance/Best Practices The resource provides guidance and/or best practices related to a continuous improvement activity. Partners across the whole community may use these resources to enhance their continuous improvement activities before, during, and after an incident. Checklist The resource is a checklist related to a continuous improvement activity. A checklist is a list of items required, things to be done, or points to be considered or used as a reminder. Training The resource relates to training. The training may be about continuous improvement or a topic related to continuous improvement activities. FEMA Site The resource is a link to a FEMA website that may provide useful information to support continuous improvement activities. External Site The resource is a link to an external, non-FEMA website and may provide useful information to support continuous improvement activities. Partner Resource The resource was submitted to the Continuous Improvement Technical Assistance Program team by a whole community partner for inclusion in the templates and resources table. Other Resource The resource does not fall under a tag related to an established resource type (e.g., template, guidance/best practices, checklist, training, FEMA site, external site, partner resource).
NCIG The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance. FEMA’s National Continuous Improvement Guidance provides an approach to conduct consistent and rigorous continuous improvement activities before, during, and after real-world incidents. NCIG Chapter 1 The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Chapter 1: Introduction. NCIG Chapter 2 The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Chapter 2: Continuous Improvement Process. Chapter 2 provides a framework and various methods that all organizations can use to begin conducting continuous improvement or enhance their existing activities. NCIG Chapter 3 The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Chapter 3: Incident Operations. Chapter 3 provides information to organizations with the capacity or interest to provide continuous improvement support before and during incident operations, in addition to after incidents. NCIG Chapter 4 The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Chapter 4: Process Improvement. Chapter 4 provides information for organizations with the resources and expertise to engage in longer-term activities that address specific process-based areas for improvement. NCIG Chapter 5 The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Chapter 5: Establishing and Managing a Continuous Improvement Program. Chapter 5 provides information for organizations looking to build a continuous improvement program or enhance continuous improvement activities within an existing program. NCIG Appendix D The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Appendix D: Considerations and Resources for Working in Diverse Cultural Settings. Appendix D provides a list of potential considerations and related FEMA training resources that can be used by emergency management organizations and other organizations to consider when preparing for or conducting continuous improvement activities in diverse cultural settings and communities. NCIG Appendix E The resource is referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, Appendix E: Alignment with Federal Programs, Policies, and Guidance. Appendix E describes how the National Continuous Improvement Guidance aligns with several current federal programs, policies, and guidance, such as the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, the National Preparedness System, and the National Incident Management System. Non-NCIG The resource is not referenced in the National Continuous Improvement Guidance. This tag may be useful to browse templates and resources outside of those mentioned in the guidance.
