"Disaster Preparedness
AVMA & Federal Plans"
|
Dave Johnson
Cascades Biomedical Consulting Intl. Inc. |
Content: VMAT - Mobilization - Capabilities
- Mission
Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT)
• AVMA
• US Public Health Service
– Office of Emergency Preparedness
• USDA
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• National Disaster Medical System
• American National Red Cross
• Department of Homeland Security |
The American Veterinary Medical Association has organized an emergency
veterinary services program identified as the Veterinary Medical Assistance
Teams (VMAT). This program is coordinated with the United States Public
Health Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, National Disaster Medical System, American National
Red Cross, and Department of Homeland Security.
Severe Disaster Strikes
• Local resources
are overwhelmed
• State resources are overwhelmed
• Governor requests disaster declaration
• President declares a disaster
• Federal resources are made available
• Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams request |
During disaster and emergency crises situations, the local veterinary
hospitals are overwhelmed dealing with their own clients as well as
their own facility disruptions. The state Governor assesses the overall
crises and if state resources are not available, then will make a request
for a national disaster declaration of veterinary services. The President
makes a declaration in response to the Governor. Federal resources are
marshaled and the AVMA alerted. The Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams
are activated.
VMAT Mobilization
• Local veterinary
infrastructure inundated
• State submits a request for federal assistance
• Request reviewed by FEMA and USPHS
• VMAT deployed under the direction of the National Disaster
Medical System
• Response approval less than 24 hours |
The VMAT mobilization is based on the nearest regional team with the
appropriate resources to the disaster. The administrative response is
streamlined and expedited with approval in less than 24 hours. The VMAT
is under the direction of the National Disaster Medical System. Besides
the immediate care to a wide range of animal species, there are zoonotic
and public health issues addressed by the VMAT.
VMAT Capabilities
• Assess medical
needs of animals
• Set up field hospitals and triage treatment programs
• Provide animal disease surveillance
• Provide zoonotic and public health disease assessments
• Assist with re-establishing safe food and water
• Provide biological and chemical terrorism surveillance
• Mitigate hazards
• Supplement relief efforts of other federal, state,
local staff and volunteers |
The VMAT assesses the medical requirements of the animals, sets up
field hospitals, and initiates triage treatment programs. Additional
responsibilities include animal disease surveillance and control; public
health disease prevention; and re-establishing safe food and water for
animals and humans. They also mitigate hazards, and provide surveillance
against biological and chemical terrorism. Their activities involve
federal, state, and local officials, plus volunteers.
VMAT Mission
Designed for large-scale
disasters
Available with flexibility for smaller disasters of limited scope
Capable of responding to State emergencies in the absence of a federal
request
VMAT Locations: California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and North Carolina
Deploy to all states and U.S. territories
TEAM members called into USPHS _ 14 days |
The VMAT mission is designed for large-scale and limited sized disasters.
The regional locations of the Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams are
California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and North Carolina. They can be
deployed to all states and USA territories. Once called to duty, they
are administratively assigned to the United States Public Health Service
under the direction of the National Disaster Medical System. Their initial
active duty is 14 days with ease of further extensions.
References
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