Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team

Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team

DMORT logo

The Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) is a specialized team of professionals that provides mortuary and forensic services during mass fatality incidents in the United States. DMORT is a part of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

History

DMORT was established in 1991 in response to the need for a coordinated and organized response to mass fatality incidents. The team was created to assist local authorities in managing the overwhelming task of identifying and processing human remains in the aftermath of disasters.

Mission

The primary mission of DMORT is to provide technical assistance and support to local authorities in the management of deceased individuals during disasters. This includes the recovery, identification, processing, and disposition of human remains. DMORT also provides support in the areas of family assistance, forensic anthropology, and mortuary operations.

Organization

DMORT is composed of a network of regional teams located throughout the United States. Each team consists of professionals from various disciplines, including forensic pathologists, forensic anthropologists, morticians, dental specialists, and administrative personnel. These teams are trained and equipped to respond to mass fatality incidents within their respective regions.

Activation

DMORT teams are activated by the NDMS in response to requests from local authorities or federal agencies. Once activated, the team deploys to the affected area and works closely with local officials to provide the necessary mortuary and forensic services. The team operates under the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, ensuring effective coordination and communication with other response agencies.

Notable Deployments

DMORT has been deployed to numerous high-profile incidents, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and transportation accidents. Some notable deployments include:

• September 11 attacks: DMORT teams were activated to assist in the recovery and identification of victims following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
• Hurricane Katrina: DMORT played a crucial role in the recovery and identification of victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
• TWA Flight 800: DMORT provided support in the identification and processing of remains after the crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.

See also

• National Disaster Medical System
• Incident Command System
• Forensic anthropology
• Mass fatality incident

External links

• Official DMORT website
• National Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs)