Operation Crash Zone TTX
On August 27, 2025, the Region VII Disaster Health Response Ecosystem held a tabletop exercise with its partner organizations. The purpose of this exercise was to test pediatric-surge plans and resources within Region 7 and the Midwest.
Threat or Hazard Exercised:
Pediatric Mass-Casualty Incident
Key Capabilities Exercised:
Increasing statewide and regional medical surge capacity
Improve statewide and regional situational awareness
Align plans, policies, and procedures related to clinical excellence in disasters
Build a partnership for disaster health response
Objectives Exercised:
Evaluate how local-level pediatric surge plans are activated and coordinated during pediatric surge events, including the role of non-pediatric hospitals.
Understand how the Pediatric Medical Operations Coordination Cell (PMOCC) facilitates communication and coordination between hospitals, directs patient flow, and ensures appropriate placement and transport of pediatric patients during pediatric surge events.
Analyze the challenges and identify critical gaps, resource shortfalls, and opportunities for state and regional improvements in pediatric surge response.
Establish a shared understanding of pediatric care capabilities within Region 7.