Public health emergencies require equipment, people, and training.  The Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team (SMART) provides trained and equipped volunteers to augment emergency services and public health first responders in Western New York (WNY).  Volunteers are the critical ingredient.

The team includes over 450 medical and non-medical people from the eight WNY counties.  All of the volunteers complete orientation courses on terrorism and incident command.  Additional training includes monthly drills.  Drills are designed to build team cohesion and knowledge and are either didactic or hands-on.  SMART is included in disaster preparedness exercises including the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls Air Force Reserve Station, and mass gatherings.  SMART is a 24/7 response operation supporting WNY.

Emergency Medicine (EMS Fellows) physicians are available for around the clock response to incidents at the request of the Incident Commander.  The SMART EMS Fellows routinely respond to multiple casualty road accidents, SWAT incidents, HAZMAT incidents, and accidents involving patient entrapment.  SMART equipment includes three emergency vehicles, four mobile clinic trailers, one Casualty Collection Point/Command Post trailer, and one supply trailer.  SMART is task-organized to assist in all types of emergencies.

SMART is organized by functional area and offers volunteers the opportunity to create sections for specific purposes.  Volunteers have established sections for Mental Health, Radiological, Veterinary, Mass Fatality, Pharmacy, Dental, Communications, and Casualty Collection Point operations.  Individual volunteers are trained in clinic management, Strategic National Stockpile operations, safety, and mass vaccination and prophylaxis.  SMART has a place for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer emergency responder.

Volunteers carry no obligation to attend meetings or to respond if called.  However, all volunteers must complete the orientation packet and agree to a law enforcement background check.