More than 1,500 Members of the ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System, Incident Management Team, and Logistics Response Assistance Team Receive U.S. Surgeon General’s COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal

December 14, 2022

Approximately 1,400 National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) responders, 90 Incident Management Team (IMT) personnel, and 60 Logistics Response Assistance Team personnel received the COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal for exemplary service to the nation as part of the federal medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NDMS, IMT, and LRAT personnel are among the resources made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). When an emergency overwhelms local and state resources, ASPR looks to the expertise within these teams from across the country to assist in the response.

During the pandemic, these teams responded to more than 1,800 missions to support nearly 50 states, territories, and jurisdictions. The medal was awarded under the authority of the U.S. Surgeon General who may authorize the issuance of the COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal to civilians who deployed for 30 consecutive or 60 cumulative days to provide medical care to state, territory, tribal, and local partners.

“The pandemic strained our country’s healthcare system for almost three years,” said HHS Federal Health Coordinating Official Mick Cote. “These teams served as a lifeline to many healthcare facilities. This medal reflects each responder’s selfless commitment to meeting the public health and medical needs of the American people.”

NDMS teams provided public health and medical surge support to hundreds of hospitals and long-term care facilities by providing temporary relief to staff, adding bed capacity, and improving outcomes for COVID-19 patients.

IMTs identified and validated the prioritized needs of the communities affected by a disaster or public health emergency, coordinated resources to meet those needs, and managed all HHS deployed field resources, including NDMS personnel and their supplies and equipment.

LRATs provided a variety of logistics response services to NDMS including, but where not limited to: pharmacy, supply management, telecommunication, information technology, and security and facilities management support. LRATs also perform property management and maintenance functions nationally in support of ASPR federal responses.

To learn more, please visit ASPR's Response to COVID-19.