Each DMAT deployable unit consists of approximately 35 individuals; however, teams may consist of more than three times this number to provide some redundancy for each job role. This insures that an adequate number of personnel are available at the time of deployment. The team is composed of medical professionals and support staff organized, trained, and prepared to activate as a unit. Each deployment can last as long as 10-14 days depending on the situation at hand.
MO-1 DMAT is a Level One team. DMATs are categorized according in
four readiness levels:
| Level One: | DMATs that are fully deployable within 8 hours of
notification and are self-sufficient for 72 hours. They are deployed with
standardized equipment and supply sets to treat up to 250 patients per day. |
| Level Two: | DMATs that lack enough equipment to make them self-sufficient but are able to deploy and replace a Level One team utilizing and supplementing their equipment which is left on site. |
| Level Three: | DMATs that have local response capability only. |
| Level Four: | DMATs with a Memorandum of Understanding executed in some stage of development but have no response capabilit |
There are many positions filled within a DMAT , here is just an example of positions we fill with our members
Medical Professionals - We have a full range of Medical Professions represented here, that provide a full range of care to persons ill or injured. These patients are met with a triage approach, treated and either transferred or discharged using a standard "Emergency Room" type care along with prescription meds and after care information as needed. We have a full respiratory care, laboratory equipment, cardiac monitoring, sutures to name just a few. This care is provided by the same professionals you would find in any Hospital facility, because these are their daily jobs when not on a deployment.
Logistical Crews - These are comprised of people from a very wide variety of skill sets, which allows them to be able to manage every aspect necessary to get a full Base of Operation up and running. They manage the equipment and keep it readied at all times, transporting this equipment to a location needed. They oversee the setting up of all equipment needed with multiple tents that are fully power by generators and Air Conditioning and Heat as needed. After the main site is set up, they maintain all equipment and ensure that everything that is needed will be in place. During a deployment everybody , no matter what their main job title is, joins in to get the site set up and all equipment moved. Once a deployment is shut down, everything must be repacked and tents taken down and trucks reloaded. After the event, the Logistics crews ensure that all supplies are reordered and put back in the cache for future events.
Communications - When we deploy, we are typically put in an area that has had all standard services disrupted, this includes power and cell phone as well as standard phone lines. When we travel, we maintain communications at all times with Key persons that direct us to areas we are needed the most. This is accomplished utilizing Both mobile and handheld radios which are used throughout a deployment. Additionally we can communicate through satellite telephones which does not rely on any local facilities operating.
Safety and Security - During all facets of a deployment, our most important objective is for us to be safe and secure, and that everybody returns home safe and uninjured. It takes somebody that can stand back and see all hazards that are not visible to the persons doing any tasks. Likewise, we require the security that we know we are being watched over by persons that are keeping up to date on any issues and hazards that may be around us.
Administrative - These people keep track of all the paperwork necessary from an event, they handle all pay issues as well as other event documentation. They handle day to day business operations of the team while not on deployments.
Command Staff - To bring all of these groups together, we utilize ICS Incident Command System, which is a nationwide method of operating. These persons keep up to date on any changes that may be happening during an event as well as what approach is needed to handle the tasks at hand. They direct all aspects of how a deployment is operated, and are ultimately responsible for all members.
This is just a sampling of the positions filled by our members, many times we have people that cross over from one job to another and back. Most importantly everybody joins in when a task needs done.