Disaster medical assistance team

DMATs are deployed to provide rapid-response medical care, support hospitals with excess patient loads, and engage in patient triage and emergency care during significant incidents such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, disease outbreaks, and national special security events.

Historically, NDMS and its DMATs have been activated for more than 300 domestic and international incidents, demonstrating a significant commitment to disaster response and emergency medical care in the United States There are 80 NDMS Teams of which 55 are DMATs spread out across the country, formed of local groups of health care providers and support personnel.

DMATs offer a wide range of medical services during natural and technological disasters, acts of terrorism, and disease outbreaks, and also provide support at national special security events like presidential inaugurations.

DMATs consist of diverse professionals, including advanced clinicians, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedics, pharmacists, safety and logistical specialists, information technologists, and communication and administrative staff.

After the September 11 attacks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took over the convening authority over NDMS, placing it under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In 1994, teams responded for the 6.7 Magnitude Northridge Earthquake, in southern California, augmenting hospitals that were overwhelmed, and providing medical care at areas where people made homeless congregated.

Twelve DMATs participated in the international response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and cared for more than 31,300 patients, including 167 surgeries and the delivery of 45 infants.

A prolonged response for Hurricanes Irma and Maria took place in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in 2017 by multiple full teams and smaller task forces of DMAT personnel.

In October 2022, ongoing deployments occurred in response to Hurricane Ian in the hardest hit areas of southwestern Florida.

In late September and early October of 2024, multiple DMATs were deployed in support of local resources during Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.