Under the new $1.69 billion Homeland Security Grant Program, almost $40 million has been allotted for the Metropolitan Medical Response System, or MMRS, the longest running federal program supporting first responders.

Created in 1996, “the purpose of [MMRS] is to support regionally integrated all-hazards mass casualty preparedness, emphasizing the WMD threat,” former MMRS National Program Manager Dennis Atwood told HSToday.us.

The MMRS program “requires the participation of first responders, first receivers, public health, emergency management, law enforcement, and volunteer organizations,” Atwood explained.

Historically, Atwood said, “ while small in funding [$30 million to $50 million annually in recent years], and lacking the visibility and public relations clout of related DHHS/CDC programs, it’s concept, structure, and partnerships are an essential element of overall mass casualty preparedness."

Indeed. as HSToday.us readers are aware, preparedness for mass casualty events – especially emergency medical preparedness – remains troubled. As important as the MMRS program is, authorities tell HSToday.us it’s terribly underfunded given its mission when compared to the funding levels of other programs.

In 2005, while still National Program Manager, Atwood stressed that the need for MMRS is as great, or greater, then ever.

As a grant program to 124 metro areas, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said this week that it wasn’t until “this year [that the Washington, DC] region is going to use its funds to expand the Metropolitan Medical Response System to Northern Virginia and the rest of the region.”

The greater Washington metro area has been criticized as not being adequately prepared for a mass casualty or catastrophic event.

Today, several MMRS jurisdictions have a decade of experience in developing their response capabilities for a mass care event, exemplifying the MMRS program’s goal of integrating infrastructure, communication, intelligence, and critical care with best practices in emergency preparedness and emergency management.

Initially managed by HHS, the MMRS program now operates under the aegis of DHS at the Office of Health Affairs' Medical Readiness Office.

The MMRS program undertakes the following:

• Integrates and enhances existing response systems to respond to a mass casualty or “surge” event;
• Incorporates customized incident planning and specialized training exercises;
• Provides specialized pharmaceutical and equipment acquisitions including, but not limited to, protective equipment, communications equipment, and medical supplies;
• Uses and “all-hazards” planning approach;
• Prioritizes the response activities and allocation of resources until significant external resources arrive and are operational (typically between 24 and 72 hours)