Recruitment

What Is A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT)?

DMAT is a group of professional and para-professional medical personnel (supported by a cadre of logistical and administrative staff) designed to provide medical care during a disaster or other event. Each team has a sponsoring organization, such as a major medical center, public health or safety agency, non-profit, public or private organization that signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DHS.

The DMAT sponsor organizes the team and recruits members, arranges training, and coordinates the dispatch of the team. To supplement the standard DMATs, there are highly specialized DMATs that deal with specific medical conditions such as crush injury, burn, and mental health emergencies.

DMATs are designed to be a rapid-response element to supplement local medical care until other Federal or contract resources can be mobilized, or the situation is resolved. DMATs deploy to disaster sites with sufficient supplies and equipment to sustain themselves for a period of 72 hours while providing medical care at a fixed or temporary medical care site.

In mass casualty incidents, their responsibilities may include triaging patients, providing high-quality medical care despite the adverse and austere environment often found at a disaster site, and preparing patients for evacuation. DMATs are designed to be a rapid-response element to supplement local medical care until other Federal or contract resources can be mobilized, or the situation is resolved.

Under the rare circumstance that disaster victims are evacuated to a different locale to receive definitive medical care, DMATs may be activated to support patient reception and disposition of patients to hospitals. DMATs are principally a community resource available to support local, regional, and State requirements. However, as a National resource they can be federalized

DMAT members are required to maintain appropriate certifications and licensure within their discipline. When members are activated as Federal employees, licensure and certification is recognized by all States. Additionally, DMAT members are paid while serving as part-time federal employees and have the protection of the Federal Tort Claims Act in which the Federal Government becomes the defendant in the event of a malpractice claim.

Applications

NDMS is currently accepting e-mails from persons interested in joining NDMS Response Teams. You can find the link to the NDMS website on our links page. NDMS will forward your email to teams in your region for further action.

Potential members of MN-1 DMAT must have expertise in one of the following areas:

Healthcare: Physician, Physician’s Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, Respiratory Therapy, Mental Health, or Chaplaincy.

Support Staff: Administration, Logistics, Equipment Specialist, Safety, Security, or Communications.

Acceptance of members to the team is based upon interest, experience, references, and need for personnel in the applicant’s area of expertise. MN-1 DMAT does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

Due to Hurricane Katrina we have had an increased interest from people who want to join our team. We welcome all interested people and encourage you to strongly consider joining us.

However, there are "Deployment Criteria" that must be met prior to deploying to a disaster. This includes online computer training, documentation of required immunizations, and attending a Field Training Exercise. We require a minimum two year commitment as well.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team.

MN-1 DMAT NDMS Overview PowerPoint Presentation

If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint installed on your computer, download the viewer.

PowerPoint Viewer 2003
English