National Nurse Response Team (NNRT)

The National Response Framework utilizes the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), as part of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Preparedness and Response, under Emergency Support Function #8 (ESF #8), Health and Medical Services. The National Nurse Response Team is a specialty team used in any scenario requiring hundreds of nurses to assist in chemoprophylaxis, a mass vaccination program, or a scenario that overwhelms the nation’s supply of nurses in responding to a weapon of mass destruction event.

The National Nurse Response Teams are directed by the National Disaster Medical System in conjunction with a Regional Emergency Coordinator in each of the ten standard Federal Regions. The NNRTs are composed of approximately 200 civilian nurses who have been approved as intermittent federal employees.

National Nurse Response Team personnel are required to:

• Maintain appropriate certifications and licensure within their discipline.
• Stay current in treatment recommendations for diseases compatible with weapons of mass destruction
• Complete web based training courses in disaster response, humanitarian relief, bioterrorism, and other relevant training
• Participate in regular training exercises
• Be available to deploy when needed

When personnel are activated as Federal employees, licensure and certification is recognized by all States. Additionally, NDMS/NNRT personnel are classified as intermittent Federal employees when deployed under NDMS. The personnel are covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act when functioning as Federal employees.

If interested in becoming involved in NDMS, please review our NDMS Recruitment link above.