Disaster Medical Assistance Teams
National Disaster Medical System
NDMS Disaster Medical Assistance Teams provide high-quality rapid-response medical care when public health and medical emergencies overwhelm state, local, tribal, or territorial resources. In the aftermath of natural and technological disasters, acts of terrorism, and during disease outbreaks, DMAT members are on location protecting health and saving lives. DMAT members also serve behind-the-scenes to provide medical support at national special security events like the inauguration.
Highly adaptable, DMAT members are trained to fill a variety of impactful roles, from performing medical triage and emergency care to supporting infusion centers and vaccine sites to decompressing hospital emergency rooms to supporting patient movement and more.
DMAT members work together tirelessly, frequently in austere conditions, to provide medical care and support when it is needed most.
DMAT team members include clinical staff (physicians, medical officers, advanced clinicians (nurse practitioners/physician assistants), registered nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedics, and pharmacists) and non-clinical staff (command and control staff, safety specialists, logistical specialists, information technologists, and communication and administrative specialists).
Caring for Patients in Hard-hit Communities
DMATs address a wide range of patient care needs. These teams have provided excellent pre-hosptial care, supported mass-vaccination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and supported hospitals in communities nationwide.
Triage & Pre-Hospital Care
Evaluating patients based on the seriousness of their illness or injuries to determine the most effective and efficient plan of care.
Emergency Medical Care
Providing care at least equal to the services of a basic hospital emergency department.
Medical Care
Providing multi-disciplinary medical care where access to usual care is limited/unavailable.
Hospital Decompression
Providing medical care within an existing hospital that has limited staff or is otherwise unable to provide adequate care to the number of people needing medical attention.
Patient Movement Support
Assessing, stabilizing, and preparing patients for transportation.
Mass Prophylaxis
Providing vaccinations or taking other actions to support disease control efforts.