Snapshot: Hospital response training

Responders learn to work through and overcome the challenges hospitals may face in a simulated mass casualty event during the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ Hospital Emergency Response Training for Mass Casualty Incidents (HERT) and Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents (HCL) courses.

HERT prepares healthcare responders to work as part of a hospital emergency response team – utilizing the Hospital Incident Command System, determining and using appropriate personal protective equipment, and conducting triage followed by decontamination of patients. The five days of training typically include HERT and its train-the-trainer component. For additional information about the HERT course or to register for future iterations, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-902.

HCL addresses disaster preparedness at the facility and system level. The course focuses on preparing healthcare leaders to make critical decisions in all-hazards disaster emergency preparedness activities. Healthcare leaders must be prepared for any incident that results in multiple casualties, whether it is the result of a natural disaster; an accidental or intentional release of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosives (CBRNE) hazard; or a disease outbreak that results in an epidemic or pandemic. For additional information about the HCL course or to register for future iterations, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/MGT-901.

Both courses conclude with a Capstone Event, a comprehensive exercise where students work together in response to simulated mass casualty incidents.