‘Sharpen the Spear’: Local experts challenge emergency teams to prepare for the unexpected

Deltona, Fla., October 8, 2025 — Four years ago, Amber McNett witnessed how an ordinary day can take a sudden turn. Serving as a nurse at the time, her hospital had just taken in patients injured in the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan.

"That experience is why training like this matters," said McNett, now a critical care nursing professional development practitioner at AdventHealth Palm Coast. "You never know when the next crisis will come. If you haven't prepared, it's already too late."

McNett's reflection captured the heart of the 2025 Emergency Care Symposium, where she joined more than 100 emergency professionals, first responders and community partners from across the state. Held at the Center at Deltona, the event helped strengthen their awareness about trending issues shaping emergency care today.

"This was a great opportunity to bring together healthcare professionals who are passionate about advancing emergency care,” said AdventHealth DeLand’s Kristy Butwinick, chair of the symposium's planning committee. "Hosting the symposium during Emergency Nurses Week was a deliberate choice. We want to celebrate their contributions but also create a space for learning, collaboration, and innovation that supports their mission to deliver high-quality care to the communities we serve.”

Dr. Stephen Coltharp, assistant director for Flagler County EMS, spoke about the importance of preparation in the event of a mass casualty. He highlighted how mass shootings have the potential to overwhelm any emergency department in a matter of minutes, but reminded attendees that even smaller events involving multiple patients can do the same.

He urged participants to “sharpen the spear” by evaluating what areas could help or hinder response when seconds matter.

“The most important thing we can do is practice,” he said.

Volusia Sheriff’s Sgt. Chad Weaver, a member of the agency’s Overdose Task Force, discussed law enforcement’s efforts to fight drug abuse in the region. In the latest Community Health Needs Assessment, substance and drug abuse were identified as key priorities for AdventHealth and its community partners to address.

Weaver shared that the Sheriff’s Office has used state laws to pursue manslaughter and murder charges against drug dealers involved in overdose deaths. In recent years, fentanyl has been linked to countless fatalities.

“It’s sad that we have to exist,” he said, noting that while law enforcement efforts are making inroads, the drug trade often remains a revolving door for repeat offenders.

The morning began on a high-energy note with Scott DeBoer’s, founder of Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions, hosted a spinoff of medical Jeopardy, transforming complex pediatric scenarios into a fast-paced game that reinforced critical knowledge.

“In pediatrics, the smallest details can make the biggest difference,” DeBoer reminded the audience, emphasizing the need for clinicians to stay sharp and adapt as new tools and technology continue to shape patient care.

Marina Anderson, from the Florida Department of Children and Families, who spoke about human trafficking, underscoring the crucial role emergency workers play in spotting red flags and intervening to protect victims. She emphasized that trafficking “can happen to any of us,” noting the stress and vulnerabilities predators exploit, and urged clinicians to pay attention when children bring forward even small concerns.

Later, Dr. Dawn Sollee walked attendees through emerging toxicology threats and the vital support provided by poison control centers.

Through every session, one theme echoed: while emergency care professionals can never predict what will happen next, they can prepare, train, and unite to meet whatever challenges come their way.