Advancing Preparedness Through Large-Scale Activation Exercise
The SPECTRE program at the UTMB recently conducted a large-scale functional exercise focused on activation of the Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU). The exercise included a simulated EMS patient handoff, allowing teams to practice the coordinated processes required when receiving a patient with a suspected high-consequence infectious disease.
This exercise represented the most comprehensive BCU activation exercise conducted to date. By incorporating multiple operational components and cross-team coordination, the event provided an opportunity for clinical teams, emergency response partners, and support personnel to work through the critical steps involved in preparing the unit to safely receive a patient.
Exercises like this play an important role in strengthening readiness. They allow teams to evaluate communication pathways, operational workflows, and decision-making processes in a controlled environment while identifying opportunities to refine procedures and strengthen coordination.
The exercise also highlighted the continued growth of UTMB’s preparedness capabilities and the role of the SPECTRE program in supporting institutional readiness. As the program continues to evolve, future exercises will expand to include additional response components and partners, further strengthening operational coordination and response effectiveness.
A special thank you to SETRAC and Fort Bend EMS for their collaboration and partnership in making this exercise a success. Their participation helped bring valuable realism to the scenario and reinforced the importance of strong coordination between healthcare facilities and EMS partners during infectious disease response events.
Strengthening Preparedness Through Exercise Collaboration
Exercises are a critical part of preparedness. They help organizations test response plans, evaluate operational readiness, and build confidence among teams responsible for managing complex events.
To support organizations in developing and strengthening their preparedness programs, the SPECTRE program offers exercise consultation and facilitation services designed to help healthcare systems, emergency management teams, and public health partners build sustainable and effective exercise programs.
These services include consultation with subject matter experts, review of preparedness plans and policies, guidance on exercise design and scenario development, and support for structured exercises with evaluation and after-action reporting.
If your organization is interested in strengthening its preparedness efforts through structured exercises, learn more about SPECTRE’s Exercise Consultation program and join the wait list here: Exercise Consultation Interest Form