Emergency Medical Team Nederland (EMTN) is working to establish a nationally and internationally deployable Emergency Medical Team (EMT), in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) EMT initiative. These teams provide rapid medical care during disasters and crisis situations, both abroad and in their own country.
The WHO launched the EMT initiative in 2010 and called on all member states to develop one or more Emergency Medical Teams. Until recently, the Netherlands was one of the few without such an EMT. “EMTN was founded approximately one and a half years ago to address this gap,” says Jelle Cloïn, founder and chairman. “In recent years, with the war in Ukraine and the pandemic, our vulnerability in emergency situations has become more apparent. As a country, we are currently not prepared for calamities that take longer than 72 hours. That's why it is so important to invest in an EMT and join the European EMT Network. It is important that we gain as much valuable experience as possible to increase our preparedness.”
In the event of a disaster, a mobile field hospital deploys to a location designated by the WHO. They coordinate international medical assistance in crisis settings. Cloïn: “EMTN is currently going through the WHO certification process to become an officially recognised EMT. We are working towards an EMT Type 1 fixed capability. That means the team must be able to treat at least 100 patients per day.”
What an emergency medical team looks like
Once deployed, an EMT includes doctors and specialised nurses, but also logisticians, ICT specialists, security staff, information officers and mental health professionals, who support both affected populations as well as team members. “All team members are volunteers and are active in emergency care, for example as ambulance personnel, or other relevant medical professions,” says Cloïn. “Currently, we are working to ensure the needed capacity. We work closely with employers of our volunteers. With them, we discuss if they can facilitate our volunteers leaving their work temporarily when needed without disrupting regular healthcare.”
Helping people worldwide
By joining the Global Health Hub, EMTN seeks to exchange knowledge, learn from partners, and contribute its expertise in emergency healthcare. Cloïn: “Our goal is to help people in need, wherever they are. To do so, we need to collaborate where we can. For example, with the Dutch Urban Search and Rescue team, who get people out from under collapsed buildings, after an earthquake for instance. We can provide medical care in these situations. Collaborating as partners makes sense in terms of efficiency and protocols. But it also means that we must be able to respond every time, so they can count on us.” In further potential collaborations, EMTN brings extensive practical knowledge of acute medical care and a large network of hospitals, first responders and medical retailers. Cloïn: “We also have lots of expertise in coordinating and providing humanitarian aid in crisis situations. And just like the other partners in the Global Health Hub network, we are prepared to share our expertise.”