About CATRAC

History

 

During the legislative session of 1989, the Texas Department of Health was instructed by the Omnibus Rural Health Care Rescue Act to develop and implement a statewide emergency medical service (EMS) and trauma care system, designate trauma facilities, and develop a trauma registry to monitor the system. Rules for implementation of the trauma system were adopted by the Texas Board of Health in January 1992. These rules divided the state into twenty-two regions called trauma service areas (TSAs) and provided for the formation of a regional advisory council (RAC) in each region. The Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council (CATRAC), also known as the Trauma Service Area O, was formed in October 1993 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that serves eleven Texas counties to include: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, San Saba, Travis, and Williamson County. Each RAC is comprised of EMS, hospitals, first responder organizations, and other pertinent stakeholders to address issues between rural and urban emergency health care and create a regional trauma system plan. Over the years, the RACs have changed to encompass the emergency healthcare systems planning for stroke, cardiac, neonatal, maternal, injury prevention, and emergency preparedness.

 

Purpose

 
  • Advance the state of health care and emergency preparedness within the counties of Trauma Service Area (TSA) O, as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This TSA includes, but is not limited to, the following counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, San Saba, Travis and Williamson.
  • Decrease morbidity and/or mortality that result from injury and illness.
  • Assist its member organizations and the CATRAC region to achieve the highest level of health care and emergency preparedness.
  • Improve funding of trauma care providers within the counties served by this Council.
  • Provide a forum to discuss regional health care issues and emergency preparedness.
  • Provide ongoing education regarding regional health care issues and emergency preparedness to our stakeholders.
  • Improve public awareness of the methods of accessing the trauma and health care system and preventing injury.
  • Support the process for inter-facility transfers from stabilization through rehabilitation.
  • Encourage activities designated to promote cooperation between member organizations

Deployments

CATRAC also works with emergency management, hospitals, EMS, public health, first responders, and other agencies in emergency preparedness planning regarding capabilities of medical surge. CATRAC has various medical assets including Mobile Medical Units (MMU), generators, response trailers, personal protective equipment, and other supplies that are available to be used during disasters, exercises, and planned events. Below is a list of events that CATRAC has supported.
  • 2017 Hurricane Harvey
  • 2016, 2015 Weather / Flooding Events
  • October 2013 Flooding Event (Travis County)
  • 2011 Labor Day Wildfires
  • 2009 H1N1 Event
  • 2008 Hurricane Ike
  • 2005 Hurricanes Rita and Katrina
  • Regional Full Scale Exercises
  • MS150 Bike Ride: 2011 – 2017
  • Marble Falls Lakefest: 2012 – 2017
  • Formula 1 US Grand Prix: 2012 – 2016
  • Schulenburg Festival: 2015 – 2017
  • Bataan Memorial Death March – White Sands Missile Range: 2015 – 2017

CATRAC