While Boston EMS’ primary mission is to respond to 9-1-1 calls for medical emergencies, this represents only a single component of our service. Boston EMS also plays a significant role in the City’s emergency preparedness efforts with specialized training and public health coordination to preparing the City for large-scale emergencies.
DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
A program of the Boston Public Health Commission, the institute was founded in 2003. The DelValle Institute is named in honor of Manuel DelValle, Jr. Manuel was a firefighter with Engine 5 for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), who was killed while responding to the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. He was the stepson of Dr. Peter Moyer, Medical Director for Boston’s public safety agencies (Police, Fire, and EMS).The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness provides high quality all-hazards training for the Boston community, including public health, health care, and public safety personnel, with a focus on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incident preparedness, response, and recovery.
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Boston Metropolitan Medical Response System
The Boston MMRS, Metropolitan Medical Response System, ensures that Boston's residents and visitors can count on the best planned, most coordinated response to a terrorist attack or other large-scale emergency.
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Public Health Preparedness (PHP)
A division of the Boston Public Health Commission, PHP is charged with coordinating the planning activities related to protecting the public health during an emergency. With 4 main areas of focus- Planning and coordination; Epidemiology and surveillance; Risk communication; and Education and training, PHP serves as a portal to information regarding emergency preparedness for residents, employers, healthcare providers and others. PHP works with hospitals, community health centers, Emergency Medical Services, state and local public health departments, and public safety partners to plan responses to a variety of emergencies ranging from an attack with weapons of mass destruction to a natural disaster.
Through collaboration with other divisions within the BPHC such as Communicable Disease Control, Environmental Health, the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness, and Boston EMS, PHP facilitates emergency planning for key public health and health care organizations in the city who would be part of response during a disaster.
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Medical Reserve Corps
The Boston Medical Reserve Corps is a committed group of volunteers, with and without medical backgrounds, who can be called upon to help the City of Boston in public health emergencies and large special events. Operating under the Office of Public Health Preparedness, the Boston MRC functions to ensure that all Bostonians, especially the most vulnerable, are prepared and have access to the help they need during a public health crisis. Find out how you can join today!
