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Metamorphosis on the Horizon as AVMA and HHS Reach Memorandum of Understanding On Roles in Emergency Response
The AVMA created the Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams in 1993 as a private-public partnership to provide veterinary emergency response at the national level. During deployment, VMAT members became temporary federal employees under the National Disaster Medical System. Recently, federal officials developed the National Veterinary Response Team as a government program.
Currently, the AVMA is exploring various directions for its VMAT program, such as assisting states during emergencies.
VMAT-5, the ‘Great Lakes Team’ serves to promote community participation, communication, and the advancement of veterinary medicine in disaster management. This new team will be consistent with but not directly affiliated with FEMA Region 5, comprised of the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and will support Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Montana, and other western states.
The AVMA has signed a new memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the roles of each in delivering veterinary services during emergencies. The memorandum sets the stage for continuing collaboration between the AVMA and HHS-but distinguishes the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams from the federal government's National Veterinary Response Teams.
According to the new agreement, the AVMA and HHS each will appoint a liaison to communicate on matters relevant to veterinary emergency preparedness and response. The AVMA agrees to assist HHS in identifying expertise to address existing and emerging veterinary issues. The AVMA also agrees to help promote opportunities for veterinary professionals to participate in the National Disaster Medical System.(*Many, if not all members of VMAT 5 are members of the National Veterinary Response Team – 5 also.)
On the government side, HHS agrees to designate a liaison from the assistant secretary for preparedness and response to represent department views at meetings of the AVMA Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues. Also, HHS will provide guidance on the procedures and requirements for individuals to serve as intermittent federal personnel of the National Disaster Medical System. The department will administer programs for registering, credentialing, organizing, training, equipping, and deploying the intermittent federal personnel.
The AVMA-HHS memorandum will be subject to review every three years.
It is the mission of the Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams to assist the local veterinary community with the care of animals and to provide veterinary oversight and advice concerning animal related issues and public health during a disaster or following a request from an appropriate agency.
VMATs / NVRTs are the most equipped and trained response teams in the country able to provide veterinary medical treatment and address animal and public health issues resulting from natural, man-made, or any other type of disasters, to the veterinary community. VMATs are available to assist the USDA in the control, treatment, and eradication of animal disease outbreaks. VMATs must receive an invitation from the affected state in order to be deployed. The local governor may make a disaster declaration and submit a request to AVMA for assistance.
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