Other programs at the UNM Health Sciences Center
Another DMAT function, also supported by NDMS, is to provide the medical component of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety's Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force. This task force, one of twenty-five in the country, was created in response to a FEMA initiative forming rapidly deployable search and rescue teams to meet the requirement of Emergency Support Function Number Nine (ESF - 9) of the Federal Response Plan. These teams would be dispatched to the scene of any catastrophic event which results in significant numbers of victims trapped within collapsed structures.
One of the few locations in the country combining the NDMS and FEMA US&R efforts, this collaboration literally makes New Mexico one of the most comprehensive sources for disaster response, not only as a National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) asset, but also as a local, state, regional, and international team as well.
Finally, CDM is working with other interested agencies to develop a research program around the newly developing field of disaster medicine in hopes that future disaster responses will be scientifically sound, based on knowledge gathered by prepared and responsible research. While this is the norm for modern medicine, currently available knowledge in disaster medicine is mostly anecdotal. Using this information, the Center and its personnel provide consultation services on the development, training, and implementation of a wide variety of disaster related plans and programs.
Please feel free to call 505-272-2525 during business hours (or page 1-800-605-4801) for more information or to join the New Mexico DMAT.