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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.

DMAT

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.

NDMS team working with local EMS

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 being provided during Hurricane Ian

Emergency Medical Care

Providing care at least equal to the services of a basic hospital emergency department.

Pediatric specialist provides care to child during Hurricane Ian

Medical Care

Providing multi-disciplinary medical care where access to usual care is limited/unavailable.

NDMS deployed in response to Hurricane Ian

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

Patient Movement Support

Assessing, stabilizing, and preparing patients for transportation.

Mass Vaccination

Mass Prophylaxis

Providing vaccinations or taking other actions to support disease control efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

NDMS offers unique opportunities for health care providers to expand their professional expertise by responding to the full spectrum of disasters under the auspices of the U.S. government, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. NDMS teams have cared for those affected by earthquakes, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, and epidemic diseases. NDMS also deploys personnel for national security special events, such as a presidential inauguration or State of the Union address. The NDMS has deployable multi-disciplinary teams with the capability for medical care (emergency care, operative care, critical care, and evacuation), veterinary care, and mortuary care.

Stories from the Field

Kiki Quarry

Christian "Kiki" Quarry
Registered Nurse

Brian Dunaway

Brian Dunaway
Registered Nurse

Jeff Hersh

Jeff Hersh, MD
Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine Physician


Lynda Pacquette

Lynda Pacquette
Emergency Department and Trauma Nurse

Don Hughes

Don Hughes
Fire Chief