Mobile Assistance Teams (MAT)

A Mobile Assistance Team (MAT) transports and delivers food and water to homebound residents requesting assistance, via the 3-1-1 information line, following a disaster. 

Duties of Mobile Assistance Teams include, but are not limited to:

• Collect and package commodities from Points of Distributions (POD).
• Collect and package snacks, food or beverages at Red Cross kitchens or Salvation Army Canteen Trucks.
• Transport and distribute food, water or recovery supplies to homebound residents.

MATs will be staffed with a Supervisor, Logistics Coordinator, and supporting workforce.

MAT Supervisors

Provide orientations regarding POD operations and safety considerations, ensures staff is rotated for breaks, and oversees work site safety. Additionally, supervisors will monitor for lightning potential, assign people to various positions based on their abilities, and ensure the completion of all tasks.

MAT Logistics Coordinator

Coordinate with POD Logistics for supplies, set-up routes based on addresses requesting supplies, coordinate with County departments assigned if additional personnel are needed.

This is moderate to heavy labor that includes repeated bending, lifting, and at times climbing multiple flights of stairs when making deliveries. Multiple units may be activated depending on the situation. MATs will be activated at the direction of the EOC. The number of staff, hours of operation, and the duration will depend on the nature, extent, and geographic coverage of the disaster event. 

• Download Mobile Assistance Team training slides .