Which emergency medical service agency is responsible for handling mass fatalities in emergency situations?

The Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT) are specialized groups that provide identification and recovery services in the event of mass fatalities resulting from disasters or emergencies. They play a critical role in managing the logistical challenges associated with handling deceased individuals in such scenarios, including identification, mortuary services, and family assistance.

DMORT's expertise is vital when traditional systems are overwhelmed during catastrophic incidents, ensuring that the deceased are treated with dignity and that their families receive the support they need. This agency operates under the Department of Health and Human Services, complementing other emergency services by focusing specifically on the mortuary aspect of disaster response.

In contrast, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) provides overall disaster response and recovery support but does not specialize solely in mass fatality management. The Red Cross focuses on shelter, food, and health services during disasters, while the National Guard assists in local emergency response but does not have a dedicated role for mass fatality management like DMORT. This specialized focus of DMORT on mass fatalities makes it the correct response to the question posed.