A system formed by executive order in 1983 to come into action when a mass disaster occurs which overwhelms or destroys the disaster response resources of a local region. The two primary functions of the NDMS are to make it possible for civilian hospital beds to be used if necessary, and to create Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) who would respond when disaster occurs. The NDMS is being developed voluntarily by the Department of Defense (DOD), the Veteran’s Administration (VA), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with DHHS being the lead agency in the effort. It includes (1) rapid medical response, (2) patient evacuation, and (3) definitive hospital care. Included in the system will be approximately 150 clearing and staging units (CCUs), each with several disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) and bed facilities for casualties.
A partnership between U.S. Federal and State health care institutions that provides emergency responses to catastrophes, including emergency on-site health care, evacuation, and interstate hospital coordination.