Always Ready: How Texas Hospitals Prepare for the Unexpected

From international sporting events and emerging infectious diseases to flooding, extreme heat and mass casualty incidents, Texas hospitals are continually planning for emergencies that could impact the health and safety of communities across the state.

While the threats may differ, the approach remains the same: proactive planning, continuous training and close coordination with local, state and federal partners. Year-round emergency planning helps hospitals anticipate risks, strengthen response capabilities and continue delivering high-quality care when communities need it most.

Preparing for Large-Scale Events

This year, that work is taking on added significance as Texas hosts matches during the FIFA World Cup, one of the largest sporting events in the world. Millions of visitors are expected to travel across North America throughout the tournament, creating new considerations for hospitals as they prepare for increased patient volumes and the unique challenges of caring for an international population.

Texas hospitals are already putting those plans into action. Medical City Frisco and Medical City Arlington have established temporary medical treatment facilities near tournament venues to care for fans with minor illnesses and injuries, including heat-related conditions, helping preserve emergency department capacity for more serious cases.

Parkland Health, designated as a regional receiving hospital for mass casualty incidents during the World Cup, has worked alongside emergency management agencies, public health officials and healthcare partners to coordinate response plans and ensure seamless communication should a large-scale emergency occur.

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Hospitals are also working with emergency medical services, law enforcement and public health partners to refine regional response plans, conduct emergency exercises and ensure resources are in place if needed. The goal isn’t to predict exactly what will happen but to build flexible systems capable of responding to whatever challenges arise.

Strengthening Readiness for Emerging Health Threats

That same mindset is guiding planning for emerging public health concerns, including the recent Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. Although the risk to the general public in Texas remains low, hospitals are reinforcing travel screening procedures, reviewing isolation protocols, ensuring the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment and refreshing staff training on identifying and safely managing high-consequence infectious diseases. These efforts build on valuable lessons learned during the 2014 Ebola case in Texas and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospitals are also monitoring emerging threats such as New World screwworm. While primarily an agricultural issue affecting livestock, it highlights the growing need for coordination among healthcare, public health, agriculture and emergency management partners as new risks continue to emerge.

Across North Texas, hospitals including Parkland Health, Children’s Health, Texas Health Resources, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Medical City Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White Health have participated in coordinated planning efforts with local public health departments and emergency management agencies to prepare for a range of potential scenarios associated with the World Cup—from infectious diseases and extreme heat to mass casualty incidents.

Preparing for Texas Weather and Natural Disasters

Many of the emergencies Texas hospitals plan for are much closer to home. From hurricanes along the Gulf Coast to flash flooding, prolonged drought, wildfires, tornadoes and extreme heat, hospitals must be ready to respond to weather-related emergencies that can disrupt healthcare operations with little warning.

Flooded roadways can delay patients and emergency responders, while extended power outages may interrupt access to essential medical equipment, pharmacies and outpatient services. During periods of extreme heat, hospitals also see an increase in heat-related illnesses and other conditions worsened by high temperatures.

To maintain uninterrupted care, hospitals routinely test backup power systems, review fuel and supply inventories, strengthen communication plans and coordinate with utility providers and emergency management agencies. These same capabilities are supporting World Cup planning, with hospitals expanding access to treatment for dehydration and heat-related illnesses through temporary medical facilities such as those at Medical City Frisco and Medical City Arlington.

Training for the Unknown

Behind the scenes, emergency planning is an ongoing process of evaluating risks, updating response plans and practicing for scenarios that may never occur but require immediate action if they do.

Hospitals regularly conduct tabletop exercises and full-scale emergency drills to test communication systems, decision-making and coordination among healthcare providers and community partners. After each exercise, teams evaluate lessons learned and update response plans, helping ensure hospitals remain ready as new challenges emerge.

Hospitals also maintain close communication with public health agencies and regional healthcare coalitions, allowing organizations to quickly share information and resources during emergencies.

A Commitment That Never Stops

Emergency preparedness often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt whenever communities need healthcare most. Whether responding to severe weather, an infectious disease outbreak or a major international event, Texas hospitals rely on planning, training and collaboration to protect patients and keep essential healthcare services running.

No one can predict the next emergency. But through continuous investment in preparedness, strong partnerships and an unwavering commitment to their communities, Texas hospitals are working every day to ensure they’re ready for whatever comes next.

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