MEMBERSHIP

With very few exceptions, the membership of the TADMAT is primarily medical with appropriate cross training in other needed areas for the team. Therefore, those who apply to the TADMAT must have licensure in a medical profession or demonstrate expertise in a support area such as communications, safety & security, logistics, administration, or other areas as determined by the Executive Committee. Continued membership depends upon successfully following the below procedure.

1. Application:
   • An application for the TADMAT along with the current year dues of $10.00 (non-refundable if team membership is denied either by the executive committee or NDMS for any reason) should be turned in to the TADMAT Executive Officer. At this time, the applicant will have the status of an Associate Member of the TADMAT as outlined below.
   • After review by the Executive Officer for completeness, the applicant will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and must be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee before being sent to NDMS Headquarters.
   • The completed and approved applications of those whose medical and or other credentials are of interest to the TADMAT are forwarded to the NDMS Headquarters in Washington for processing by the Public Health Service Personnel System. The process can take up to 2-3 months, from the initial inquiry until the applicants name appears on the federal roster of those eligible for activation.
   • Those who do not meet the specific needs of the TADMAT may be offered Associate Membership to the TADMAT. Associate Members may not deploy with the team, but may drill and train with the team locally after signing a waiver removing the TADMAT from all responsibility for illness or injury during the drill/training event.
2. Members should develop a very clear understanding with their employers regarding the voluntary status of the TADMAT. Employers are not obligated to release members from their jobs for a deployment. In the event of a deployment request, team members will be asked when they are called if they will be able to leave for an extended period of time or if they will be able to assist at the TBOT or with a reception team.
3. A yearly dues of $10.00 will be required from each team member, due each year by March 31^st. Those who do not have their dues paid for the current year, will be placed on inactive status and will not be called during a deployment. Dues are required of all members, including associate members. Payment for each yearly dues will only be accepted for the current year, beginning the first of January. If dues are not paid by March 31st, the person will be placed on inactive status at the local level. On July 1st those who still haven't paid their dues will be removed from the national level roster. After March 31st a member may re-apply for active status after being dropped from the team for failure to pay dues, they will be assessed a $25 re-activation fee in addition to the $10 dues. This fee is intended to prevent members from allowing themselves to lapse on their dues if they sincerely wish to remain members on the team. When a member is dropped from the roster, by their request, or by request of the Executive Committee, the current years dues are non-refundable.
4. Membership type and status.
   • Active members:
   • Must be approved by DHHS/OEP/NDMS and on the federal roster; be determined eligible for deployment by the Unit Commander and Chief Medical Officer and be current in their dues.
   • Must maintain the gear and clothing listed on the Personal Equipment List (Appendix A) or its equivalent.
   • If holding a medical position on the TADMAT, must maintain current medical licensure. Medical members who do not have current medical licensure will be placed on Associate Member status until they regain their licensure.
   • Must notify the Executive Officer of any changes in address, name, contact information or medical licensure / job status, or any other demographic information. Must complete the TADMAT Team Member Data Sheet (Appendix E).
   • Must have the following personal abilities which are vital to the TADMAT function: a) Compatibility with other team members and the ability to function with others under stress. b) Technical competency to include peer review and quality assurance measures. c) Willingness to work on team assignments / projects. d) Ability to perform physical tasks.
   • Members found to be deficient in these abilities by the Executive Committee will be informed and be given reasonable opportunities to correct deficiencies. After reasonable efforts have failed, the member in question will be brought before the Executive Committee to determine appropriate actions. Members may appeal the committee's decision to the Unit Commander. The final decision is that of the Unit Commander. There are no appeals to NDMS at the national level.
   • Abide by the personnel rules and processes established by the Public Health Service while on any deployment.
   • Associate members:
   • Associate memberships are available to those interested persons who wish to support the team but are either not medically qualified or due to other commitments, unable to actively participate with the TADMAT on an actual deployment. These members need not submit to the federal personnel processing however, it is highly recommended for liability reasons. Those not completing the federal application and approved by NDMS may participate in team activities only after signing the liability waiver (Appendix C). Associate members are not deployed except under special circumstances approved of by the Unit Commander (and NDMS if applicable). Associate members are required to pay 1/2 ($5) of the regular annual DMAT dues and keep their dues payments current.
   • Inactive members:
   • Inactive membership status may be issued by the request of the team member or by order of the Unit Commander. Being placed on inactive status may result from the member wishing to withdraw for a temporary period of time or from the members failure to pay dues or comply with the policies herein.
   • Inactive members will not be permitted to drill with the team, attend training exercises or be deployed unless a majority vote of the Executive Committee overrides this status.
   • Inactive members will be removed from the local and federal roster after one year has passed unless appropriate steps are taken to return to active status.
   • Sponsors:
   • Sponsors are those individuals, groups or corporations who donate money or materials to the TADMAT. There are no dues required of sponsors. Sponsors are welcome to attend meetings and drills/exercises as observers but may not actively participate and are not able to be deployed except under special circumstances as approved of by the Unit Commander (and NDMS if applicable).
5. Individual members will be evaluated by the Executive Committee annually.