National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), HHS 12
National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), HHS 12 :
A federally coordinated initiative to augment the nation's emergency medical response capability by providing medical assets to be used during major disasters or emergencies. NDMS has three major components: Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and Clearing-Staging Units to provide triage, patient stabilization, and austere medical services at a disaster site; an evacuation capability for movement of patients from a disaster area to locations where definitive medical care can be provided; and a voluntary hospital network to provide definitive medical care. NDMS is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services/U.S. Public Health Service, in cooperation with the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, FEMA, State and local governments, and the private sector. (Facts on the NDMS)
