|
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 Team.
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.
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.
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.
– KATIE BURNS
|
