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Regional Metropolitan Medical Response System (HRMMRS)

What is a Metropolitan Medical Response System? 

A Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) is a process to respond to the health and medical consequences of a terrorist incident involving the use of weapons of mass destruction.

Why is an MMRS being developed for Hampton Roads?

Terrorism is a common threat throughout the world.  A terrorist attack using nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction could mean hundreds or thousands of casualties.   Being prepared for such an incident could save many lives.  The U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, has been appointed to assist local governments of over 120 locations, including the Virginia Beach/Tidewater area, in planning and developing an MMRS.

Who is developing the Regional MMRS?

Hampton Roads is one of the first regions in the country to coordinate cities and counties in the cooperative development of a regional Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Plan.  With the HRPDC coordinating the effort, local participants in the MMRS Steering Committee and Subcommittee included city and county employees from almost all sixteen jurisdictions throughout Hampton Roads, as well as the local hospitals and mental health agencies.  Participants also included employees from the state Department of Emergency Management Services, the State National Guard, the medical personnel from the military bases located in the region, and special agents from the Norfolk headquarters of the FBI. Now in its second phase, an Oversight Committee has been developed and an MMRS Program Manager has been hired. 

What does the MMRS Plan include?

The MMRS Plan addresses emergency medical needs in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, including procurement and provision of appropriate pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies.  Many procedures have been established, such as command and control; notification and alert; management of public affairs; centralized communication control; management of medical personnel, supplies and equipment; patient tracking; laboratory support; and crowd control.  Strategies have been developed for the movement of patients to other areas of the region or nation, in the event that local health care is insufficient.  Training exercises will be conducted to ensure that all the various procedures will work together in an effective system.  The U.S. Public Health Service has recognized the Hampton Roads MMRS effort as a national model for developing regional plans.  

Who is paying for the MMRS?

Through grants and contracts, the Federal government has awarded the Hampton Roads region money to develop the plan and buy pharmaceuticals and equipment to assist in its implementation.  The total amount from Federal and State is $7,289,294, $5,449,606 directly from the Federal government, and $1,839,688 as Federal pass-through to the State then to the Region. 

Read the MMRS brochure (3.7MB pdf)  

View the MMRS video (copies also available at local libraries) You will need Real Player - click on the icon below to download.

For more information, contact the MMRS Program Manager, Mr. Bill Ginnow, 757-963-0632, ext. 304 or ginnow@vaems.org

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