Southeast Utah Health Department News Release
Price, UT – February 10, 2026 – Emergency responders, healthcare providers, educators, and public health professionals from across Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan Counties gathered at the Carbon County Events Center on February 5 for a full-day Rural Pediatric Trauma Course, a collaborative training focused on strengthening readiness for pediatric emergencies and mass casualty incidents.The broad scope of participants reflected a shared commitment across Southeast Utah to care for children and families during emergencies. Coursework throughout the day emphasized regional coordination, hands-on clinical skills, and thoughtful discussion around the real-world challenges faced in rural and frontier communities.
The course blended expert-led instruction with hands-on skills stations covering pediatric airway management, hemorrhage control, trauma assessment, psychological first aid, and triage. Participants also engaged in a multi-agency tabletop exercise simulating a school-based active shooter incident, creating space for open discussion and shared learning across EMS, hospitals, schools, emergency management, public health, and behavioral health.
Throughout the day, participants explored the importance of:
- Timely, coordinated pediatric trauma care in rural settings
- Clear communication across counties and agencies
- Family reunification and behavioral health support following traumatic events
- Regional surge planning and patient tracking during mass casualty incidents
The Rural Pediatric Trauma Course was offered at no cost to participants and supported through regional and statewide pediatric preparedness partnerships. Additional collaborative training opportunities are planned as Southeast Utah continues to strengthen emergency readiness across the region.
The Southeast Utah Health Department and regional partners expressed deep appreciation for the multidisciplinary instructional team who traveled to Southeast Utah to support the training. Faculty represented Primary Children’s Hospital, the University of Utah, Intermountain Children’s Health, the Pediatric Pandemic Network, the Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric Emergency Management, and other pediatric preparedness programs. Their collective experience in pediatric emergency medicine, disaster preparedness, behavioral health, emergency management, and simulation-based education brought an exceptional level of depth and perspective to the course.
Training like this is only possible through collaboration. The Southeast Utah Health Department extends sincere thanks to the instructors, planning partners, and participants who made the day a success, and looks forward to continuing this work together.
“We are incredibly grateful to the team who shared their time, expertise, and commitment with our region,” said Eric Anderson of the Southeast Utah Healthcare Preparedness Coalition. “Their willingness to come to rural Utah and work alongside our local providers made this training meaningful and practical. It was truly a partnership.”