ALL ABOUT SPONSORING A

DISASTER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TEAM

 

The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), through the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), fosters the development of volunteer teams, called Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs). A DMAT is a group of professional and paraprofessional medical personnel (supported by a cadre of logistical and administrative staff) designed to provide emergency medical care during a disaster or other event.

 

Roles and Responsibilities of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team Sponsoring Organization

 

Each Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) has a sponsoring organization that organizes the team, recruits team members, arranges training, and coordinates the dispatch of the team. A sponsor can be any organization that is willing and able to support the development of a DMAT. Examples of sponsors include hospitals or major medical centers; public health and safety agencies; and non-profit, public, and private organizations. DMATs may be jointly sponsored by more than one organization. The sponsor signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Public Health Service. This written agreement states:

 

Sponsors agree to:

 

  1. Organize and maintain a disaster medical response team,

  2. Recruit and select qualified volunteers,

  3. Train and exercise the team, including a basic orientation to the NDMS and the duties and responsibilities of other participants in the disaster relief operation. Instruction on the principles of medical disaster management should be given to Team Leaders, Administrative Officers, and Medical and Nursing Supervisors,

  4. Obtain and maintain disaster medical equipment from donor sources,

  5. Provide minor medical supplies for immediate response to local disasters,

  6. Mobilize the team for response to local incidents or NDMS activated Federal disaster situations.

 

The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) is responsible for:

 

  1. Providing guidance on the organization and composition of the DMATs,

  2. Providing training materials and practical guidance in disaster medical skills,

  3. Providing personnel to assist in the administration and management of the team,

  4. Assisting in the location and acquisition of supplies and equipment from Federal and local donor sources for use in training exercises and during a disaster situation.

 

Once a team has been activated for response during an emergency, the PHS is responsible for:

 

  1. Appointing team members to an appropriate Federal status. Once appointed as a temporary Federal employee, issues related to interstate deployment regarding licensure or certification are eliminated, and legal medical liability coverage is afforded to team members,

  2. Providing transportation, food, supplies, shelter, and logistic support to the DMAT,

  3. Compensating DMAT members for Federal service and expenses incurred during the performance of their assigned tasks,

  4. Returning the team members to the sponsor following the completion of the emergency incident.

 

Revised: September 26, 1997