Registered Disaster Response Collaborative (DRC) children’s hospital teams were asked to conduct at least one tabletop exercise and two drills to assess gaps in disaster response planning, identify steps to update disaster plans, and monitor improvements. Facilitated DRC-hosted virtual tabletop exercises (TTXs) by focus area were held (and data was collected) in Spring 2025. Facility-led TTXs are ongoing.
Drills
The goal of the DRC is to demonstrate improvement over time within hospital disaster response plans in the chosen focus area. Drills (after a TTX) allow DRC teams to test changes to updated plans and pre-identified focus area-specific performance measures. Additional objectives can be addressed during the drills. DRC teams are asked to plan and implement an initial drill for the focus area no later than January 2026. The second drill should be held within 3-6 months following the first drill, no later than May 2026.
Drill Materials
Drill materials to help DRC teams conduct pre- and post-intervention drills in their own facility are available below. NOTE: The materials are meant to be viewed and disseminated (when appropriate) by the team leader or facility exercise planner only – until those individuals share the documents with drill participants. These documents are 100% adaptable to meet each facility’s needs. Use of these materials is optional, but limited to DRC-related activities. Materials should not be adapted or reproduced for other purposes.
Drill Planning Guides
An Orientation to the DRC Drill Materials was held to clarify how to access and utilize materials for facility-specific drills. Watch the recording here on YouTube or embedded below. Drill Planning Guides for each of the four focus areas include links to other documents useful to plan/conduct a drill.
- Evacuation Focus Area Drill Planning Guide
- Pediatric Patient Tracking & Family Reunification Focus Area Drill Planning Guide
- Pediatric Surge Capacity Drill Planning Guide
- Triage, Infection Control & Decontamination Drill Planning Guide
Resources
- Checklist of Essential Pediatric Considerations for Every Hospital’s Disaster Policies
- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
For assistance or if you have questions, email DNCPPN@austin.utexas.edu.