|
Q: When was the AVMA VMAT program created?
A: The AVMA created the Veterinary Medical Assistance Team program after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In 1993 a Memorandum of Understanding between the AVMA and the Department of Health and Human Services was signed which established the VMAT program as a public-private partnership to assist in providing veterinary emergency preparedness and response.
Q: What does the new MOU between AVMA and HHS do?
A: The recently signed AVMA and the Department of Health and Human Services MOU encourages continued communication and collaboration between both parties. It also distinguishes the AVMA VMAT program as a separate program from the federal government’s National Veterinary Response Team program.
Q: Are the AVMA VMAT teams currently deployable?
A: Not at this time, however; the AVMA has been working closely with stakeholders to determine what type of AVMA VMAT program would be most useful. The AVMA VMAT program recently received approval from the Executive Board to focus on disaster preparedness and response activities at the state level with continued financial support from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). This new direction for the VMAT program is not intended to supplant current state programs or initiatives, rather to enhance existing efforts and assist in establishing programs where necessary. The new AVMA VMAT program is supported by a $200,000 grant recently approved by the AVMF Board of Directors. The grant for the VMAT program was made possible through the Animal Disaster Relief and Response Fund. Ideally, the new AVMA VMAT program will be launched in time to provide services for the 2008 hurricane season.
|
= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
