In an emergency environment, the dental battalions primary mission is to provide dental health maintenance, with a focus on emergency care. Personnel from these detachments may also provide postoperative, ward, central sterilization, and supply room support, and other medical support as determined to be appropriate by the medical battalion and surgical company commanders.

FLEET HOSPITALS
Initially conceived and developed as facilities to provide medical support during intense combat operations, fleet hospitals are also used in lengthy low-intensity scenarios. Fleet hospitals are transportable, medically and surgically intensive (capable of performing advanced medical and surgical procedures), and deployable in a variety of operational scenarios. Available in sizes ranging from 100 to 500 beds, these health-care assets can be used by a variety of field commanders. Fleet hospitals are designed to be used in long-term operations (60+ days) involving a

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Figure 14-1.-Organization of a medical battalion.

sizable number of ground forces. Moderately sophisticated care is provided, along with resuscitative medical and surgical care, and selected specialty care. Fleet hospitals are substantially self-supporting and relocatable; however, relocatability varies with the hospital size.

Mission
A fleet hospital's mission depends on its type and the operation in which it will be used. The type is determined by bed size and echelon of care. Fleet hospitals are designed and staffed to provide Echelon III or Echelon IV levels of patient care.

Designation
Fleet hospitals designated as active duty facilities will be manned by active duty personnel, with a command staff assigned from one particular naval hospital using the Medical Augmentation Program (MAP). Naval Reserve fleet hospitals will be staffed by preassigned Naval Reserve personnel. After activation, fleet hospitals are deployed to an operational theater where command and control pass to an operational commander.

Organization
The internal organization of the fleet hospital is similar to a shore-based MTF. It consists of the command staff (commanding officer, executive officer, command master chief, and special assistants) and five directorates (nursing service, medical services, surgical service, ancillary service, and administrative service).

Security and Safety
Adeployed fleet hospital must have a security plan that addresses security precautions, threat response, and disaster recovery. The security program covers physical, informational, and classified material aspects normally included in the area of operation (AO) security plan. Physical security for fleet hospitals is both internal and external.

Fleet hospitals will follow the same OPNAVsafety program as other operational units. Hospital commanders establish a safety program and an internal organization to address safety issues and appoint a safety officer.

Logistics
Logistics for a fleet hospital include medical supplies, equipment, and services. Logistical requirements can range from acquiring raw material to delivering medical supplies to a field hospital, or returning medical equipment to a theater after a patient evacuation. Tasks of fleet hospital logistics include contracting, host-nation support, equipment manage- ment, facilities management, transportation, graves registration, and postal service. All of the fleet hospital supply department operations are conducted in accordance with NAVSUP P-485.

Personnel
Staffing for active duty fleet hospitals comes from several CONUS MTFs, while designated reserve units staff a particular reserve fleet hospital. Each fleet hospital has its own active manning document (AMD). Personnel are normally issued TADorders for less than 180 days. If the operation exceeds 179 days, PCS orders may be issued. Replacements are handled the same way as in any fixed MTF.

Training
BUMEDis responsible for monitoring the training of all authorized personnel assigned to fleet hospital mobilization billets. COMNAVSURFRESFOR is responsible for overseeing the training of Naval Reserve personnel assigned to staff Naval Reserve fleet hospitals.