Medical Assistance Team (MAT)

Mission and Purpose

The mission of the Cincinnati Chapter’s Medical Assistance Team is to respond to a mass casualty incident when requested by local fire officials to augment the existing fire and EMS response. Working under EMS/Medical Command, team members assist the on-scene incident commander in establishing triage and treatment areas as well as assist in dispatching the injured to appropriate medical facilities.

History

The Medical Assistance Team was formed in 1975, the result of an idea from Cincinnati physician, Dr. William Gates, the chapter Disaster Director, Gary Miller and the former chapter CEO, Pat Eadonson. The idea grew out of a study done by the Hamilton County Disaster Council. The council was looking into the handling of mass casualties and the community’s ability to triage, treat, and transport large numbers of injured people following a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). Dispatching of hospital staff to the scene was out of the question due to the lack of field training, lack of field medical equipment, shortage of hospital staff, and lack of simple protective clothing. The study showed a shortfall in the community’s ability to respond with sufficient personnel and supplies in this type of event.

With assistance from the fire service and emergency management, the MAT concept was born. This resulted in the recruitment of physicians and nurses who were interested in field medicine and were willing to train to operate outside of the hospital environment. The Red Cross was designated as the lead agency supported by community partners, which included, The Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, University of Cincinnati Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine, University Aircare (Medical Helicopter Service), Hamilton County Emergency Management and The Hamilton County Disaster Council. Volunteer participants were trained in a variety of topics ranging from Advanced Life Support, to working around a fire truck. EMS suppliers, area hospitals, and emergency management donated the first equipment used by the team.

In 1977, within 30 days of the initial training, the newly formed team was activated to respond to a fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Northern Kentucky where it was reported that a large number of the 2000 plus patrons were trapped. Before the night was over, 320 patrons were injured, and 165 people lost their lives. This was the MATeam’s very first response. The event affirmed the need for the specialized assistance the team was designed to provide.

Since the first activation for Beverly Hills, the team has responded to several high-profile incidents, including the BASF Plant explosion, The Who concert, the Princeton High School evacuation, the flood of 1997 (D.R. 330), the tornado of 1999 (D.R. 879), the Batavia gas explosion, and a near-miss airplane accident. Community support and the team member’s interest remain high. The team has become an integral part of disaster response plans and call-out systems throughout greater Cincinnati and the tri-state region, including the airport.

Click here to review a historical list of the team's responses.

Historical Photo Gallery

WHO WE ARE?

Today, the 80-member team is composed of physicians, registered nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians with extensive field or emergency department or critical care experience.

 
Note: The MAT system is not to be confused with the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). The Red Cross MAT is a local, all-volunteer, community-based response team.

Training

MAT members receive a 2-hour orientation course in the following areas:

START Triage (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment)
Scene Safety
Incident Command Structure
Patient Flow/Dispatch
Emergency Communication
EMS Command Structure and Procedures
Airport Response Procedures

Members are encouraged to maintain certification in:
Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS)
Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS)
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Team members are expected to participate in quarterly in-service training meetings as well as community and airport disaster exercises.

Supplies/Equipment

The chapter was recently included as a recipient of Department of Homeland Security funding due to our unique role in disaster response in the Cincinnati area. Our new MAT vehicle, MCI trailer, and MCI equipment were recently purchased with these funds through Hamilton County Emergency Management. The team also has some additional equipment pre-positioned in and around the tri-state area to expedite arrival of equipment to any scene in the area.

Additionally, MAT members are issued equipment as available and provided with a list of equipment to keep ready in case of a team activation so as to expedite delivery of medical treatment pending arrival of the MAT MCI trailer and other MCI supplies. While on the scene, key members are issued two-way radios for communication between the different treatment areas and functions.

The MAT vehicle and MCI trailer can also function as a rehab station or to assist local EMS as a command post if needed. It is equipped with multiple communication systems, including the Hamilton County Disaster Radio Net, which connects all area hospitals on a common frequency for casualty information. Distribution of casualties is coordinated by University Hospital.

The On-Scene Incident Commander and/or Red Cross Chapter Disaster staff will determine when the MAT team will be activated. As soon as precise information is available, the team is notified through the Hamilton County Communications Center. Members are either placed on stand-by or instructed to report to a designated staging area.

The MAT system has succeeded due to a collaborative response system with other public service agencies to provide the best possible service to our community. Responding with the MAT volunteers are Red Cross Disaster Mental Health, Government Liaison, Mass Care, and Hospital Liaison personnel. The Red Cross Hospital Liaison is a volunteer medical professional who deploys when activated to area hospital emergency departments to facilitate patient tracking in order to facilitate reunification of patients and their families.

BECOMING A MEMBER

If you are interested in becoming a Medical Assistance Team volunteer, complete the Disaster Health Services and MATeam Questionnaire found at the links below.

Disaster Health Services Volunteer Application 

Medical Assistance Team Questionnaire

Please send the completed applications to the Chief Nurse at the Cincinnati Area Chapter at the following address:

American Red Cross

Cincinnati Area Chapter

720 Sycamore St

Cincinnati, OH 45202

The application and interview process is selective because it is very important for the MAT team to be composed of individuals with CURRENT pre-hospital and/or critical care/emergency department experience. We want to be able to provide our patients with the most up-to-date methods of care, skills, and knowledge. Acceptance onto the team may also be influenced by the current composition of the MAT team and a need to maintain a balanced group of disciplines.

Partners