HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today activated the U.S. Public Health Service, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, and called on assistance from the Washington, D.C., Medical Reserve Corps as thousands of citizens pay their respects to former President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C.

"At this time when we join together to remember and celebrate President Reagan, we want to make certain that our citizens have access to the best emergency health services available," Secretary Thompson said. "We expect thousands of people to come to the nation's capital to honor this great American and with the heat and hours of standing, it's possible that some will need medical care. That is why we have so many medical personnel activated and on alert."

As of this afternoon, 65 U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) officers are providing medical care to citizens on the Mall. PHS officers will rotate into service until Friday afternoon. In addition, a local Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) PHS-1 is on site and able to assistance in providing medical care as the need arises. Also, the Washington, D.C., all-volunteer Medical Reserve Corps is joining HHS in coordinated response to the activities on the Mall.

"This effort is a testament to the spirit of the U.S. Public Health Service, its 6,000 officers, and the vision of Secretary Thompson to create a mobile force to serve the needs of our citizens," U.S. Surgeon General VADM Richard Carmona said. "We have so many highly qualified, highly skilled, and highly trained medical professionals serving in the Public Health Service that it makes good sense to have them available and on site during these times of large public gatherings."

The U.S. Public Health Service is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. It's mission is to provide highly-trained and mobile health professionals who carry out programs to promote the health of the nation, understand and prevent disease and injury, assure safe and effective drugs and medical devices, and deliver health services to citizens of the country and the world.

The Medical Reserve Corps is the medical component of the Citizen Corps and the USA Freedom Corps. President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps in response to the outpouring of community support in the days following September 11. The MRC plays an integral part in our nation's preparedness and response strategy and provides an organized way for medical and public health volunteers to offer their skills and expertise during local crises throughout the year. Locally based MRC volunteers can assist during large-scale emergencies, such as an influenza epidemic or an act of terrorism. MRC volunteers also work to strengthen the overall health and well-being of their neighborhoods and communities.

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