What is a DMAT?

DMAT stands for Disaster Medical Assistance Team.  A DMAT is a regional group of volunteer medical professionals and support personnel with the ability to quickly move into a disaster area and provide medical care.  Under the control of the Department of Health and Human Services, DMATs can rapidly deploy for any type of national disaster that requires an immediate medical response.  DMAT PA-3 is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, and is sponsored by Saint Vincent Health System.

PA-3 Mission Statement

To provide a medical team from the Erie, PA region, to support the Department of Health and Human Services' mission to communities throughout the nation in their time of need.

Team Sponsor

In July 2002, Saint Vincent Health System signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to serve as the sponsor of a Pennsylvania DMAT.  A separate corporation has been established in the system that has medical and community representation.  Saint Vincent has agreed to: 

1. Recruit, organize, train and maintain a Disaster Medical Assistance Team, designated as “PA-3” in accordance with NDMS guidelines
2. Periodically verify that credentials of all team members who are subject to state licensure/certification/registration requirements are current and valid (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, nutritionists, EMTs, paramedics, etc.)
3. Accept, maintain and safeguard equipment from federal and other sources for use in training and disaster response
4. Appoint an individual from the team to serve as the point of contact for NDMS/DMAT administration and personnel paperwork
5. Mobilize the team for state, regional, or local disaster service, as appropriate
6. Release the team to PHS for federal disaster service when requested by PHS