SAMCEE 2026
Be part of the region's largest healthcare preparedness exercise.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 6:00 AM-3:00 PM | San Antonio, Texas
ABOUT THE EXERCISE
What is SAMCEE?
The San Antonio Mass Casualty Exercise, or SAMCEE, is a large-scale regional healthcare preparedness exercise bringing together hospitals, EMS agencies, emergency management organizations, public health, public safety partners, and community volunteers.
Participants help evaluate and strengthen regional disaster response capabilities, including patient movement, hospital surge operations, family reunification, communications, and interagency coordination.
20+
Healthcare and Academic Partners
500+
Volunteers
48
Participating Healthcare Facilities
Sign-Up to Participate
Volunteer Patient Actor
Participate in SAMCEE as a simulated Patient Actor or Family Member supporting realistic emergency response activities. Volunteers may be assigned to either role on the day of the exercise based on operational needs and should be prepared for a variety of possible assignments.
Depending on your assignment, you may receive moulage (simulated injury makeup), participate in patient or family reunification scenarios, and/or be transported to a participating facility to carry out your assigned role.
Moulage Artist
Participate in SAMCEE as a Moulage Artist, helping create and apply realistic simulated injuries to Patient Actors throughout the exercise. Moulage Artists will work in a fast-paced environment and may be assigned to different patients, injury types, or exercise needs throughout the day.
Previous qualifying moulage experience or attending a Basic Moulage training course provided by STRAC is required for this role.
Observer
Attend SAMCEE as an Observer to view exercise activities and regional emergency response operations. Observers will not actively participate in exercise scenarios or volunteer roles and will remain on-site at Freeman Expo Hall for the entirety of the exercise.
Observers will not be transported to participating hospitals or other exercise locations.
WHY VOLUNTEER
Why Participate?
- Support regional emergency preparedness efforts.
- Help hospitals and EMS agencies improve disaster-response capabilities.
- Gain hands-on experience in a large-scale emergency exercise.
- Earn volunteer and service-hour experience.
- Be part of one of the region’s largest healthcare preparedness exercises.
EXERCISE DAY
What to Expect
6:00 AM
Volunteer Check-In
6:30 AM
Orientation
6:45 AM
Moulage and Role Assignment
7:00 AM
Transport to Healthcare Facilities Begins
8:00 AM
Exercise Begins
11:00 AM
Transport of Volunteers Back to Freeman Begins
3:00 PM
Exercise Concludes
What Should I Bring?
• Comfortable Clothing • Closed-Toe Shoes • Photo ID • Positive AttitudeVOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Frequently Asked Questions
Moulage is the art of creating realistic-looking injuries and medical conditions using makeup, prosthetics, and special effects. It’s often used in emergency training exercises to make scenarios more lifelike for responders. From cuts and burns to fractures and bruising, moulage helps create an immersive environment that challenges participants to respond as they would in a real emergency.
No. Volunteers from all backgrounds are welcome, and role-specific instructions will be provided.
Yes. You may identify your group, school, employer, or organization during registration. Group placement will be accommodated when operationally possible.
Final meal and refreshment information will be included in volunteer instructions before the exercise.
Yes. Participation documentation may be provided after the volunteer completes the assigned exercise period.
You may select a preferred role during registration. Final assignments will be based on qualifications, availability, capacity, and operational needs.
Volunteers should plan to participate for the full assigned period unless another arrangement has been approved in advance.
Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Additional clothing guidance will be provided based on your assignment.
No problem — just notify a staff member at check-in
Vegetarian breakfast options are provided, but lunch is up to facility discretion, if you
have specific dietary needs we recommend packing a lunch.
Ready to Volunteer?
Join us in strengthening emergency preparedness across South Texas. Registration takes approximately 5-7 minutes.