In this issue of the ASPR TRACIE Exchange, we discuss the challenges associated with providing care during no-notice incidents (e.g., mass shootings). We interviewed healthcare practitioners and first responders to highlight experiences from the pre-hospital, trauma hospital, non-trauma hospital, and rural hospital perspectives. We hope that these real-life experiences, shared by your colleagues across the nation, help you plan (and adjust existing plans) for no-notice incidents.

Dr. Kevin Yeskey, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response, authored the foreword for this issue, highlighting ASPR’s mission, the four priorities that support that mission, and how healthcare coalitions serve as the foundation of our disaster health response system. Dr. Yeskey also emphasized the critical role played by state, local, tribal, and territorial stakeholders who tackle planning for and responding to human-caused incidents and natural disasters.

The articles in this issue include insights from a broad range of authors:

• Deputy Chiefs Jon Klassen, Jon Wiercinski, and Jeff Buchanan from the Clark County (NV) Fire Department share their experiences and lessons learned responding to the scene of the October 1, 2017 mass casualty incident in Las Vegas. 
• Dr. Don Reisch, Ryan Jensen, Dr. Dan McBride, and Karen Donnahie from Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center (Las Vegas, NV) discuss how this non-trauma hospital handled a surge of more than 100 patients after the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
• Drs. Michael Cheatham (Orlando, FL) and Comilla Sasson (Aurora, CO) share their experiences conducting triage and providing patient care in trauma hospitals after two mass shooting incidents.
• Mandi Sralla was the Emergency Director the day several patients from a mass shooting in a small church in Texas were taken to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville. She shares her experiences and lessons learned from the incident.
• Dr. John L. Hick summarizes the articles in this issue and highlights key considerations for healthcare planners, practitioners, and emergency responders.

Access Issue 7 of The Exchange and download previous issues that address a variety of vital and timely topics.

Be sure to check out these newly-released/recently updated ASPR TRACIE documents:

• Select Mass Violence Resources
  
• No-Notice Incident Tip Sheets
• Chemical Hazards Topic Collection
• Mass Distribution and Dispensing of Medical Countermeasures Topic Collection
• EMTALA and Disasters

Two ASPR TRACIE webinars are now available online. Healthcare Response to a No-Notice Incident: Las Vegas features healthcare providers who responded to the mass shooting incident sharing their experiences and planning recommendations.

During the ASPR TRACIE-National Ebola Training and Education Center (NETEC) Healthcare System Readiness for Highly Pathogenic Infectious Disease webinar, speakers: provided an overview of the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; described the regional, tiered system established to manage patients suspected and known to be infected with Ebola virus disease or other special pathogens; provided updates on current Ebola readiness and trends; reinforced the “Identify, Isolate, and Inform” response framework; and shared best practices and lessons learned from previous experience. Download the webinar and Q & A session today!

Is there a topic you would like to see covered in a future issue? Let us know!