A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is a response unit of the National Disaster Medical System composed 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. In mass casualty incidents, their responsibilities include triaging patients, providing sophisticated medical care in austere conditions, and preparing patients for evacuation. In other situations, DMAT may provide primary health care or augment overloaded health care staff. The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is a system coordinated within the Department of Health and Human Services that augments the Nation’s emergency medical response capability. The overall purpose of the NDMS is to establish a single integrated National medical response capability World Trade Center 2001for assisting State and local authorities in dealing with the medical and health effects of major peacetime disasters (natural and manmade) and providing support to the military and Veterans Health Administration medical systems in caring for casualties evacuated back to the U.S. from overseas armed conflicts.

Photos from World Trade Center 2001