Department Of Homeland Security Response Teams Deployed To Iran To Assist Victims Of Earthquake
Release Date: December 27, 2003
Release Number: FNF-03-23
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing emergency medical teams to assist the Department of State's response efforts to the earthquake in Iran. Two International Medical Surgical Response Teams (IMSuRT) arrived in Bam, Iran on Sunday. The IMSuRTs are coordinated by FEMA's National Disaster Medical System and are the only two teams of this nature active in the U.S.
"This earthquake caused tragic losses in Iran, and President Bush authorized this humanitarian mission to lend a hand and provide assistance in their times of need," said Michael D. Brown, Homeland Security Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response.
The two 30-member IMSuRTs are the only two teams of this nature active in the U.S. IMSuRT-East is a cooperative effort between FEMA's National Disaster Medical System and the Department of State. Affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital and attached to MA-1 DMAT, the IMSuRT-E is a highly specialized team, trained and equipped to establish a fully capable freestanding field surgical facility anywhere in the world. The team being deployed from the MGH consists of 14 nurses, six physicians, two respiratory therapists, one physician assistant and one pharmacist.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 29-Dec-2003 10:00:44