Health and Medical Emergency Response Teams

The Code of Virginia § 32.1-111.3.15 indicates the Office of EMS is responsible for “Establishing and supporting a statewide system of health and medical emergency response teams, including emergency medical services disaster task forces, coordination teams, disaster medical assistance teams, and other support teams that shall assist local emergency medical services agencies at their request during mass casualty, disaster, or whenever local resources are overwhelmed.”

The Virginia Office of EMS is currently reviewing its Health and Medical Emergency Response Team (HMERT) program. The agency is also researching its ability to create and manage task forces, coordination teams, and specialized strike teams for deployment during large scale events.

Updated 6/25/2026.