VA-1 DMAT member Shamera Boone received a National Disaster Medical System Achievement Award during an awards ceremony on May 23.  Boone was selected as the VA-1 team's 2011 Distinguished Employee, and was recognized along with other team recipients during the annual NDMS Integrated Training Summit held this year in Nashville, TN. VA-1 congratulates Shamera on her national recognition.

Virginia -1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team was chartered in 2004 and is one of some 90 response teams that are part of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).

Between 2004 and 2010 VA-1 missions included responses to ten hurricanes, one earthquake disaster (Haiti), one five-state affected ice storm, four State of the Union Addresses, one Presidential State Funeral, two Presidential Inaugurations, three National Police Memorials, four air shows, the Mardi Gras, and two Capitol Mall 4th of July Celebrations.

A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is a group of professional medical personnel supported by a cadre of logistical and administrative staff designed to provide emergency medical care during a disaster or other event. In mass casualty incidents, responsibilities include triaging patients, providing austere medical care, and preparing patients for evacuation. In other situations, DMATs may provide primary health care or augment overloaded health care staffs.

VA-1 seeks applications from those interested and qualified for open team positions within a maximum 200 mile range of Richmond, VA. The National Disaster Medical System initiated a new application process effective November 1, 2011. NDMS will advertise open team positions on their website and will accept initial applications. Once an application for an open position is received and initially screened by NDMS, NDMS will forward the application to the team for further review and an interview, and hiring recommendation back to NDMS.

NDMS Recruitment Website