Full-Scale Mass Casualty Exercise Conducted at James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
On April 24, 2025, the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital hosted a comprehensive mass casualty exercise designed to enhance patient surge capacity, improve decontamination protocols, and strengthen partnerships with local and community emergency response teams.
The exercise simulated a large-scale influx of patients resulting from a hypothetical biological incident, challenging hospital staff and responders to manage the rapid deployment of resources while ensuring quality care. Tampa Bay Health & Medical Preparedness Coalition participated including 9 Counties, 45 hospitals and multiple state agencies.
Emergency Management Chief Keith Lurvey explains the importance of the exercise.
“We are grateful for exercises like this, to work with our community partners and ensure our staff members are as trained and prepared as possible in the event of such an incident. To stay ready for the next emergency, it is imperative that we must continue to test our plans and processes to be ready to answer the call for our Veterans. By participating in these exercises, it ensures that James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital is ready to answer the call when any emergency arises. I am proud to be part of such a dynamic team”.
As part of the drill, the hospital's decontamination area was set up to simulate first receiver protocols. Staff were put through their paces as they triaged patients, assessed contamination levels, and initiated treatment plans. The successful coordination between emergency medical services and hospital personnel illustrated the importance of effective communication and teamwork in high-pressure situations.
In addition to on-site training, the exercise featured the deployment of an all-hazards cache — a collection of emergency supplies and equipment prepared for use in a range of disaster scenarios. This element allowed staff to practice resource allocation and logistical support, crucial aspects of emergency preparedness.
Throughout the day, hospital leadership and participants engaged in real-time problem-solving in the Incident Command Post adapting to evolving scenarios laid out by exercise coordinators. Feedback sessions post-exercise emphasized the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in emergency management.
This full-scale mass casualty exercise is part of an ongoing effort by James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital to remain at the forefront of emergency preparedness, ensuring they can meet the challenges of any crisis head-on.
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