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As part of the combined federal response to the Hawaii Wildfires, ASPR has deployed emergency responders to support Maui County by assisting with victim identification and respectfully processing human remains. ASPR will provide support to the family assistance site at the Maui Community Center.
Early in the response, ASPR deployed an assessment team to work with state and local health authorities and ASPR regional emergency coordinators (REC) to determine what federal public health and medical resources may need to be deployed to aid the state in responding to the wildfires. Soon after, ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System deployed a Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT), a Victim Identification Center Team (VIC), and other health emergency response personnel. DMORT personnel will support the Maui County Coroner’s Office. VIC personnel will support the family assistance site at the Maui Community Center.
ASPR also deployed a Disaster Portable Morgue Unit (DPMU), which consists of approximately 22.5 tons of supplies and equipment needed for victim identification and processing of human remains, such as mortuary examination tables, x-ray units, and laboratory equipment.
ASPR’s deployment of personnel and equipment follow the HHS Secretary’s declaration of a public health emergency and the publication of a section 1135 waiver, which provides health care providers and suppliers with greater flexibility in responding to the emergency.
We encourage communities in all wildfire prone areas to use ASPR TRACIE's resources to plan to protect health during a wildfire.
