Leading Through Crisis: Mass Casualty Incident Response Management

The American Red Cross is facilitating this immersive Mass Casualty Incident Response Management training for leaders and partners who may be called upon to support or manage large-scale, high-impact incidents.

Mass casualty incidents differ significantly from typical disaster responses. They involve intense coordination across multiple agencies and complex family assistance operations, and long-term community assistance. Leadership readiness is critical.

This training provides participants with practical, leadership-focused experience applying standards and best practices. Participants will engage in guided discussion and scenario-based education designed to mirror the realities of real-world responses, and there will also be dedicated time for a panel discussion to support shared learning and partner perspectives.

Important Venue Information:
You will need to have your identification with you when checking in at the guard shack at Camp Fogarty and there will be signage along the route to help with navigation to JFHQ. Registration opens at 8:30am.

Facilitators:

Richard Branigan

Regional Executive, American Red Cross – Connecticut & Rhode Island Region

Richard Branigan brings leadership and direct operational experience responding to multiple mass casualty incidents. He has led complex, high-visibility disaster operations requiring coordination across local, state, federal, and nonprofit partners. Richard offers participants a strategic, real-world perspective on leadership, decision-making, and coordination during large-scale incidents.
Tara Hughes, LCSW

Family Assistance Center Management & Mass Casualty Incident Response

Tara Hughes is a nationally experienced clinician, trainer, and speaker with 20 years of Disaster Mental Health and American Red Cross experience. She has extensive expertise in Family Assistance Center operations and trauma-informed disaster response. Tara brings a compassionate, practical lens to supporting survivors, families, and responders during mass casualty incidents.
FBI Victim Services Division

A representative from the FBI Victim Services Division will join this training to provide perspective on victim assistance operations during mass casualty incidents. The speaker will share insights on coordination with partner agencies, victim and family support considerations, and the role of federal victim services in complex, high-impact incidents.

Participants will:

• Understand the distinctive nature of mass casualty incident responses
• Identify leadership roles and responsibilities during mass casualty operations
• Apply Red Cross mass casualty response standards, doctrine, and job tools
• Navigate complex, multi-agency coordination environments
• Integrate workforce protection and integrated disaster care throughout the response
• Plan for the transition from immediate response to longer-term recovery

This training is intended for:

• Emergency Management Professionals
• Education Administration Profressionals
• Qualified partners who support mass casualty incident responses

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher American Red Cross of Rhode Island