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Homeland Security takes over the National Disaster Medical System

Emergency Management Alert, May 3, 2004

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Thomas Ridge announced last week that DHS will now operate the National Disaster Medical System. The system consists of a specially-trained team of medical professionals that responds to incidents.

After the September 11 attacks, Ridge says many doctors, nurses, and hospital staff prepared triage areas and emergency rooms for the injured but despite health officials best efforts, few people survived.

"We learned a lesson that in the future we need to be prepared to deploy additional medical resources at the scene of an attack or disaster," Ridge says.

The teams cover a variety of fields, including doctors and nurses capable of specializing in burns, pediatrics, crush injuries, mental health, as well as those who can properly deal with the medical consequences of chemical, biological, or nuclear materials. This system has also readied mortuary units with the training and experience necessary to help recover, identify, and process deceased victims.

Ridge says the system will allow the teams to respond faster and cooperate better during disasters.

To read Ridge's statement about the change, visit http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3523

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