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This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. News Release
HHS SENDS MEDICAL TEAMS TO ASSIST IN HURRICANE LILI RESPONSEHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced that HHS is sending a total of 210 volunteer doctors, nurses and other professionals to Jackson, Miss. and Shreveport, La. in order to assist in Hurricane Lili response operations. The volunteers, from six of HHS' Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), will be available to respond quickly as needed if Hurricane Lili comes ashore along the Gulf Coast. "These teams will be ready and able to provide medical assistance to those in need if Hurricane Lili hits the Gulf Coast as fiercely as forecasters predict," Secretary Thompson said. "As more is learned about what help is needed in the region, we will work closely with state and local officials to provide appropriate HHS resources and assistance." In addition, HHS is also sending the Secretary's Emergency Response Team, a group of HHS health professionals who will assist in the early assessment of local needs in the wake of the hurricane. Their assessment will guide the department's additional response efforts The DMATs -- two from Texas and one each from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and New Mexico -- are part of the HHS' National Disaster Medical System, a volunteer network of more than 8,000 doctors, nurses and other health and support personnel from both the public and private sectors. There are 66 DMATs including specialized teams to handle burns, pediatrics, crush injuries, surgery, mental health and incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. In addition, there are other teams to assist with mortuary operations and to provide veterinary support for affected animals. The National Disaster Medical System also includes 2,000 participating hospitals with 100,000 available beds to respond to mass casualty incidents and emergency patient transportation. In recent years, HHS teams have responded to an unprecedented number of challenges, including: the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing; natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and ice storms; and transportation disasters including the TWA Flight 800, Egypt Air, Alaska Air and American Flight 587 crashes. ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news. Last Revised: October 02, 2002 |
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