DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CREATES

AN EMERGENCY EBOLA MILITARY

DOMESTIC RESPONSE TEAM
OCTOBER 21, 2014
Breaking news from the Department of Defense.
An emergency Ebola domestic response teamhas been created at the request of the US Military,
in conjunction with the CDC, and at the direction of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The rapid response team will ONLY be deployed domestically in the United States, and
will consist of 20 critical care nurses, 5 Doctors trained in infectious disease, and 5
trainers in infectious disease protocols.


http://static.dvidshub.net/media/video/1410/DOD_102040424/DOD_102040424-512288-
442k.mp4

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123446

Hagel Orders Expeditionary Ebola Support Team
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2014 In response to a request by the Department of Health and
Human Services, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today ordered U.S. Northern Command to
prepare and train a 30-member expeditionary medical support team that could, if required,
provide short-notice assistance to civilian medical professionals in the United States.
In a statement, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said formation of the team
is an added prudent measure to ensure the nation is ready to respond quickly, effectively and
safely in the event of additional Ebola cases in the United States.
Nurses, doctors, trainers
Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., the Northcom commander, is with the military services to
source and to form the joint team, Kirby said. It will consist of 20 critical care nurses, five
doctors trained in infectious disease and five trainers in infectious disease protocols, he added.
Once the team is formed, the admiral said, its members will be sent to Fort Sam Houston in
Texas for up to seven days of specialized training in infection control and personal protective
equipment. That training is expected to start within the next week or so, he added, and will be
provided by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
After training, team members will remain in a prepare to deploy status for 30 days, available
to be sent to other U.S. locations as required. They will not be sent to West Africa or elsewhere
overseas, Kirby said, and will be called upon domestically only if that is deemed prudent by
public health professionals.
Acting in advance of potential requests
Identifying, training, and preparing forces in advance of potential requests ensures that we can
respond quickly and is analogous to how we prepare DoD personnel in advance of other
potential civil support missions, such as hurricane relief and wildland firefighting, the press
secretary said.
Hagel is committed to ensuring the Defense Department is prepared to provide appropriate
capabilities to support the governments response to Ebola, the admiral said. He is
extraordinarily proud of the skill and professionalism of our servicemen and women and of the
unique capabilities they bring to this important effort, he added. As always, their safety and
security will remain foremost on his mind.