FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 1997
Contact: Mitzi Schindler (303) 315-5571
National Medical Response Team -- Ready, Set, Go
If there were a national disaster involving a nuclear, biological or chemical event -- whether accidental or intentional -- anywhere in the United States, a Colorado team would be on the way to help.
The Colorado Disaster Medical Assistance Team's (DMAT's) Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) unit has been named one of only three National Medical Response Teams (NMRTs) by the U.S. Public Health Service/National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Along with units from North Carolina and Southern California, the Denver-based NMRT would deploy to national disasters involving hazardous materials within four hours of notification. The 50 NMRT members, including physicians, nurses and EMTs, also are members of the DMAT.
Colorado's DMAT is sponsored by University Hospital, which provides equipment storage and training space. Pacifica Holding Co. provides additional equipment storage. Military planes for the unit are available at Buckley Air National Guard Station in Aurora.
Team members are on 24-hour call and receive intensive training to respond to disasters involving hazardous materials and terrorist events including chemical and biological agents. The NMRT may be requested by the government to stand by on-site at national events. All three teams will be conducting training exercises in Denver prior to the Denver Summit of the Eight in June.
The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is a nationwide network of hospitals that provide definitive medical care for disaster victims and/or military casualties. In addition, NDMS directs the Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), which are the
medical response component of the system. There are presently 61 active DMATs.
DMATs and the newly-established NMRTs deploy staff to a disaster site and provide emergency medical, surgical and decontamination treatment for victims. DMATs are made up of about 40 self-sufficient, professional medical and support personnel who can react on short notice to treat patients at a disaster site.
DMATs have treated more than 25,000 disaster victims during the past five years. Teams have been sent to assist with such disasters as Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the mid-west floods in 1993, the Northridge earthquake in 1994, and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
The Colorado DMAT and NMRT are recruiting for new members. Interested medical professionals with hazardous materials experience should call Scott Marks at (303) 368-5296, or send correspondence to P.O. Box 371765, Denver, CO 80237.
University Hospital is the Rocky Mountain region's only academic tertiary care and referral center. Located in Denver, Colo., the hospital is part of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center campus, one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system.
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