The Texas County Emergency Response Team (TCERT), in coordination with partner agencies, will conduct a full-scale live mass casualty incident (MCI) training exercise on Sunday, July 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Emmett Kelly Park in Houston.
This hands-on exercise builds on a recent internal tabletop discussion and will simulate a realistic mass casualty incident at a crowded outdoor public event. It is designed to test and strengthen TCERT’s emergency response capabilities, including rapid activation, scene management, triage and treatment of multiple patients with varying injury severities, patient transport priorities, interagency coordination and community support resources.
Key elements of the exercise
- Approximately 10–15 volunteer victims.
- Activation and operation of the Incident Command System (ICS) with emphasis on the Medical Branch.
- Focus on real-world rural challenges such as resource limitations, transport decisions to area facilities, family reunification, public information and responder wellness.
The exercise area at Emmett Kelly Park will have temporary closures of the north end of the park including the pavilion area during the event for safety. Members of the public may observe from designated areas, but the designated area of the park will not be fully open for regular use during the 1–4 p.m. window. No real patient injuries or hazardous materials will be involved — this is a controlled training event using fake injuries, simulated conditions and local volunteers acting as victims.
“Training like this ensures our team is prepared to protect lives when real incidents occur,” said Travis Maddox, TCERT director. “We appreciate the community’s support and especially thank the volunteers who help make these realistic exercises possible. A well-prepared Texas County is a safer Texas County.”
This exercise aligns with national best practices, Missouri SEMA guidelines and the county’s Emergency Operations Plan. Lessons learned will be incorporated into ongoing improvements to TCERT protocols and the county MCI plan.
Media and public are welcome to observe portions of the exercise. For more information, to volunteer as an observer (or future victim in similar drills) or to request an interview, contact Travis Maddox by phone at 417-204-9359 or by email at countydirector@texascountycert.org.
