March 2026
A Note From Susan
March is a significant milestone month as we’re transitioning from winter to spring, and preparing for the unique challenges that emerge from a winter of low snow pack, anticipation for welcoming an estimated 750,000 people to Washington as part of FIFA World Cup 2026, and global dynamics that have potential impact on supply chain across our healthcare system, just to mention a few.
As part of this latest update, we’re sharing updates on topics you continue to share are important to you – status of planning for FIFA and the upcoming tabletop exercise, further engagement on NDMS, and the transformational work by regional DMCC’s as the broader framework continues to be informed and formalized.
We’ll continue responding to your feedback and the information you’re wanting us to address through the info@nwhrn.org.
I look forward to heading into the spring with the value of your expertise and collaboration helping ensure we’re protecting the care for our communities when they need it most.
Making Progress – Always On for You
Disaster Medical Coordination Center (DMCC) Planning
Prior updates highlighted our work socializing the DMCC framework with your local DMCC’s, which now includes teams meeting monthly. The DMCC’s are providing expertise and true engagement, and we’re grateful for the response from partners directly involved in this work that will ensure local, regional and state nuances are captured in these annexes. We have also initiated conversations to capture insights how the State DMCC functions, working alongside regional DMCCs.
We remain committed and are making progress on forming a steering committee comprised of DMCC representatives and Network experts. Updates will be shared to support transparency around this work, anchored in the mandate that DMCC work continues to function according to the plans and help drive forward solutions and implementation as challenges arise.
Next Steps Supporting National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Large Scale Combat Operations
As I write this, we are awaiting confirmation of the NDMS exercise. The Network has developed the objectives to support healthcare leadership involvement. Additionally, Washington State Department of Health, State Emergency Management Division and NWHRN are prepared to exercise our communication, coordination and decision making to support scaling up to meet an NDMS mission.
Considering current global activities, resources may not be available and the exercise may be put on pause. If this occurs, the Network is working on an alternate opportunity to discuss the components of the NDMS plan that touch leadership and state coordination.
Continuing FIFA World Cup 2026: Regional Planning and Exercising
The FIFA World Cup 2026 State MCI plan is in final draft form. Starting this week, the Network will utilize the FIFA World Cup Regional Healthcare Planning and Preparedness Coordination to train our partners on the plan.
And, as we move closer to the FIFA games, the Network has begun dedicating resources to the internal staffing and coordination necessary to support ongoing healthcare situational awareness and response as needed. We have worked with our partners to develop a facility level checklist to help hospitals prepare for the event.
See below for Confluent Goal exercise details.
Confluent Goal FIFA World Cup ’26 Special Event MCI Surge Virtual Tabletop Exercise
Date: Wednesday, May 6
Time: 8:00am – 12:30pm PDT
The Network will be hosting a virtual FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Event MCI Surge Confluent Goal Tabletop Exercise for healthcare, EMS and public health partners and others across Washington State.
Join us to ensure your teams are ready for upcoming activities:
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vuKcSthZQnmxq8rt7XNErA
For questions, please email training@nwhrn.org.