What Is A Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT)?

The National Response Plan assigns the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Section under Emergency Support Function #8 (ESF #8) to provide victim identification and mortuary services. These responsibilities include:

• temporary morgue facilities
• victim identification
• forensic dental pathology
• forensic anthropology methods
• processing
• preparation
• disposition of remains

In order to accomplish this mission, Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORTs) were developed. DMORTs are composed of private citizens, each with a particular field of expertise, who are activated in the event of a disaster. DMORT members are required to maintain appropriate certifications and licensure within their discipline. When members are activated, licensure and certification is recognized by all states, and the team members are compensated for their duty time by the federal government as intermittent federal employees. During an emergency response, DMORTs work under the guidance of local authorities by providing technical assistance and personnel to recover, identify, and process deceased victims.

The DMORTs are directed by the NDMS. Teams are composed of funeral directors, medical examiners, coroners, pathologists, forensic anthropologists, medical records technicians and transcribers, finger print specialists, forensic odontologists, dental assistants, x-ray technicians, mental health specialists, computer professionals, administrative support staff, and security and investigative personnel.

Regional Offices

In addition to our main office in Washington, DC, the NDMS Section has Regional Emergency Coordinators located in the ten (10) Federal regions. To contact an Emergency Coordinator located in your region.