Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response

The foundation of ESF 8 is the multiagency National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). Directed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the NDMS has the following three primary functional elements medical response, patient evacuation, and hospitalization. 

Federal health and medical assistance is generally categorized into the major functions of prevention, medical services, mental health services, and environmental health. Each of the 15 specific functional areas is contained in one of these categories. When the lead of the national ESF 8 (the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response) is notified of the occurrence of a potential major disaster or emergency, the Assistant Secretary will request HHS and support agencies to initiate action immediately to identify and report the potential need for federal health and medical support to the affected disaster area in the following functional areas. 

Assessment of Health/Medical Needs. Lead HHS Agency Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)... 

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), created by the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, provides leadership in the areas of preventing, preparing, and responding to adverse health effects related to public health emergencies and disasters. ASPR focuses on preparedness planning and response, including coordinating... 

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