Our thoughts are with everyone affected

by Hurricane Helene. Access related resources here.

Pediatric disaster checklist for hospitals

In conjunction with last month as National Disaster Preparedness Month, EMSC has released a free checklist for hospitals to ensure they can effectively plan for, prepare for, and respond to pediatric patients during a disaster. The checklist is organized into three progressive categories that are tailored to varying pediatric volumes and inpatient pediatric capabilities. The checklist was developed by a national team of experts and pilot tested extensively. View the Disaster Checklist. 

Community EDs and Critical Access Hospitals: Join a research study that will leverage the disaster checklist to examine strategies to improve pediatric surge planning. Upon completion of an interview and educational collaborative, participants will receive $550 towards the purchase of pediatric-specific supplies. Learn more.

Disaster Preparedness Month: Still time to participate

Disaster Preparedness Month may have been last month, but there’s still time to get involved in pediatric preparedness efforts of EMSC and its partners, including the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) and Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PDCOE)!  

• Disaster Response Collaborative. The collaborative for children’s hospitals kicked off Sept. 10, but there’s still time to register! The goal of the collaborative is to form a network of children’s hospitals that are both individually and collectively prepared to respond to disasters and pandemics. The next session is Oct. 8. Learn more.
• Did you miss PPN’s “Pediatric Crisis Standards of Care” webinar on Sept. 26? You can watch the recording here. Speakers highlighted the legal and ethical considerations that arise during crisis situations, emphasizing the importance of avoiding discriminatory outcomes and ensuring equitable access to care.
• PDCOE experts will be featured at two upcoming webinars, one hosted by Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response on Oct. 3 and the other hosted by the American Hospital Association on Oct. 31. Learn more and register here.

State Spotlight: U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. territories and jurisdictions face unique challenges when it comes to emergency readiness and disaster preparedness. At a recent EMSC Town Hall, grantees were inspired by a presentation from Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, Program Manager of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) EMSC program, on the remarkable work of her team. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of their recent efforts.

EMSC site visits in AL, LA, NM, and MA

Representatives from the federal EMSC Program and its two national resource centers recently hit the road for four site visits in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Massachusetts. After a long pause due to COVID-19, it was exciting to reconnect with state EMSC teams and witness their work firsthand!

Each visit was packed with insights into the unique challenges and successes of these programs. Highlights included observing Alabama’s pediatric readiness efforts, touring a New Orleans Children’s Hospital in Louisiana, learning about Massachusetts’ innovative partnerships, and visiting the Northern Navajo Medical Center in New Mexico. Check out our full recap.

PECARN convenes in Columbus

Researchers and partners from across the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) convened in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 17-19. PECARN is the research arm of the EMSC Program and the first federally funded pediatric emergency research network. The meetings’ discussions focused on PECARN’s active studies, covering topics ranging from a decision support tool for traumatic brain injury to antibiotic use for uncomplicated appendicitis.

The next in-person meeting is Feb. 4-6, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Learn more about PECARN.

ENA meeting highlights

EMSC nursing representatives were active participants in the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) annual conference in Las Vegas Sept. 4-7. Robin Goodman, MSN, RN, CPEN, Lisa Gray, MHA, BSN, RN, CPN, TCRN, and Michelle Moegling, MSN, RN, CPN presented: “PECC Special Interest Group: Strategies for Pediatric Readiness,” and “Crisis and Chaos: Elevating Trauma Care with Pediatric Readiness.” Both sessions had large audiences. The nursing team also presented a poster, “Nurse Pediatric Competency, Certification, & Continuing Education: Impact on Emergency Departments’ Pediatric Readiness.”

This year was particularly special as ENA recognized two EMSC team members. Goodman, of the Innovation and Improvement Center, received the 2024 ENA Pediatric Readiness Improvement Award for demonstrating outstanding efforts to improve readiness in caring for children in the emergency care setting. Emily Dorosz, MSN, RN, CPEN, State Program Manager for Washington, D.C., was recognized as one of ENA’s “20 under 40” honorees. 



Emergency Nurses WeekTM is Oct. 6-12 and Emergency Nurses DayTM is Oct. 9. Visit ENA’s webpage to learn how to get involved.

FAN work in the field: Guam

Learn more about how Family Advisory Network (FAN) representatives make a difference for children.

Name: Derek Loftus and Katie Cone

State/Territory: Massachusetts

Derek Loftus and Katie Cone, the FAN representatives for Massachusetts, have done some amazing work over the last two years. In addition to the work they do with the advisory committee, beginning in 2023, they both sit on a panel as part of the annual Massachusetts Medical Reserve Corps Training Conference. The conference brings together Medical Reserve Corps volunteers from across Massachusetts. Katie and Derek are the key panelists for a session on how to best care for children and families with special health care needs in disaster shelters from a parent’s perspective. Since they’ve taken on this panel, Derek and Katie’s work at the conference has quickly turned their session into one of the most popular and is frequently requested to return! Read more.