• Writes DOD guidance for Public Health Emergency Management 
• Develops the training curriculum for Public Health Emergency Officers and emergency managers assigned to DOD medical treatment facilities.
• Works with the Services, Combatant Commands, Joint Staff, and Interagency partners to ensure Public Health Emergency Management requirements are met within DOD.

• DOD co-chairs the FETIG with the Department of Health and Human Services.
• FETIG is a chartered interagency group that provides coordination of all Federal programs and initiatives related to training/education in public health & disaster preparedness.
• The FETIG serves as the Federal advisory body to the new National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

• Participates in the White House National Security Council, Interagency, and DOD pandemic influenza preparedness and response activities
• Coordinates all Health Affairs and DHA pandemic influenza-related planning.
• Learn More about the Pandemic Influenza Watchboard

The National Disaster Medical System combines Federal and non-Federal medical resources into a unified response to meet natural and man-made disaster needs, as well as support patient treatment requirements from military contingencies.

The National Disaster Medical System is an interagency partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, DOD and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. It’s based on the 2005 Memorandum of Agreement between these agencies. Components of the NDMS includes:

• Medical Response—Includes personnel, teams and individuals, supplies, and equipment. The NDMS Response Teams can include:
  • Disaster Medical Assistance Team
  • Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams
  • National Veterinary Response Team
• Patient Movement
• Definitive Medical Care

The National Response Framework utilizes the National Disaster Medical System, under Emergency Support Function #8, Health and Medical Services, to support Federal agencies in the management and coordination of the Federal medical response to major emergencies and federally declared disasters such as natural disasters, major transportation accidents, technological disasters, and acts of terrorism including weapons of mass destruction events.