ORANGEBURG, NEW YORK - The Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro has awarded Reeves manufacturer DHS Systems LLC and Brazilian medical supply distributor Oscar Iskin a $1.2 million contract to initially provide two mobile field hospitals for use during large-scale disasters. 

The mobile hospitals, each comprised of a Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter (DRASH) Trailer Mounted Support System (TMSS) Large and two TMSS Medium Systems, will offer more than 2,000 square feet of operational space. Additionally, the hospitals can be interconnected to create a single, larger facility if needed.

Part of the U.S. Army’s Standard Integrated Command Post System (SICPS), DRASH TMSS Medium and Large Systems offer 440 and 1,120 square feet of usable space respectively, and integrate shelter, mobility, environmental control and power in one complete package.

DHS Systems and Oscar Iskin began working together in the fall of 2008 following a request by the Brazilian government for a soft-walled, quickly deployable shelter system from which civil defense forces and fire personnel could distribute medicine and administer field treatment following an emergency, such as a flood, hurricane or pandemic outbreak.

“Late last year we met with representatives from Oscar Iskin and discussed how DRASH Shelters could be configured as a field hospital,” says DHS Systems Project Manager Chris Murphy. “We ultimately decided it would be beneficial for members of the Brazilian government to come to New York and see our equipment first hand.”

In January of this year, the companies invited members of the Brazilian government to visit DHS Systems’ headquarters and shelter manufacturing facility in Orangeburg, NY. The Commander of Civil Defense Forces for the State of Rio de Janeiro requested a DRASH TMSS Medium System to be used as a field hospital during Carnival the following month.

“The government was extremely pleased with our equipment during Carnival,” says Mark Tallo, Director of Homeland Preparedness at DHS Systems, who supported the event in Rio de Janerio. "They liked that the system provided environmental control, lighting and an aseptic interior and that their personnel were able to learn how to operate it quickly and easily.”

Impressed with the system’s reliable, robust and resilient design, Brazil’s Minister of Health and Civil Defense, Dr. Sergio Cortes agreed to purchase the field hospitals in late July. Under the contract, DHS Systems will manufacture and supply the TMSS Systems while Oscar Iskin will serve as DRASH’s representative in Brazil. Dr. Cortes states that he plans to duplicate the TMSS footprint in the five other states in Brazil. This would make the total contract value up to more than $10 million.

DHS Systems’ founder and Chief Executive Office, A. Jon Prusmack, says that he hopes DRASH will become an integral part of Brazil’s disaster response efforts. 

“We look forward to a continued relationship with Brazil and watching DRASH play an important role in the country’s plan for emergency management on both the local and national level.”