Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: July 17, 2007

Health Department Presents Community Partnership Award to Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team

Today the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) presented the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team (RI-1 DMAT) with a Community Partnership Award. HEALTH’s Community Partnership Award is presented to individuals and groups who engage in exceptional community efforts that support the mission of the Health Department.

RI-1 DMAT has worked with HEALTH as a trusted partner to implement efficient, effective, and timely responses to medical and public health emergencies. Medical volunteers working for RI-1 DMAT have provided direct medical care in situations when HEALTH has needed additional resources to accomplish its mission.

During 2007, RI-1 DMAT provided medical services and logistical support for HEALTH’s responses to several public health emergencies. During the Mycoplasma Pneumoniae investigation, RI-1 DMAT provided staff to perform throat swabs at the Greenwood Elementary School dispensing site and logistical support for preparing and distributing packets of information for Warwick community members who were affected.  They also provided staff to join mobile teams that conducted medical examinations in the neighboring communities of West Warwick and Coventry, and over a holiday weekend, RI-1 DMAT assisted in the procurement of essential medical supplies.

In response to a Hepatitis A exposure in two restaurants, only three weeks after the Mycoplasma emergency, RI-1 DMAT quickly deployed several teams to HEALTH to assist with clinic functions and the administration of preventive Immunoglobulin (antibodies) to those restaurant workers who were impacted. Again, RI-1 DMAT assisted in the acquisition of medical supplies for an important emergency response, despite short notice.

Due to RI-1 DMAT’s support and timely assistance, the provision of critical emergency services to Rhode Islanders has been highly successful. HEALTH recognizes their exemplary work in public health emergency response.