I have a proven record of working with various groups, agencies and legislatures to affect positive solutions. An example of this is forming and commanding the Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT).
Identifying the need for a state-level mass fatality team, I worked with a number of forensic specialists and related personnel and response teams and brought them together to form MI-MORT, which is now the State of Michigan’s official Mortuary Response Resource.
Over the years, we have added new members and specialties, obtained funding for equipment and trainings, as well as successfully lobbied for state workers compensation benefits for our team members.
One of founding ideas of MI-MORT was to "hope for the best but to train for the worst," and, unfortunately, that became a reality during the COVID-19 Pandemic. On May 1, 2020, MI-MORT was activated for the first time since it was established in 2003. Our planning and readiness proved invaluable to the citizens of Michigan as we deployed in response to the death surges that had overwhelmed the morgues in the metro-Detroit-Wayne County area. MI-MORT's ability to quickly adapt, pivot, and respond to the situation and the ever-changing CDC protocols illustrated all of the years of dedication and hard work of mass fatality training was well worth it.
Our team was able to transfer and shelter remains, safeguard them, and connected with local funeral homes to ensure proper disposition for the families of those that lost loved ones. Together, as volunteers, we were able to secure dignified, safe, and respectful disposition during an unprecedented time.
I’m also very proud of my involvement on the NFDA Mass Fatality Template of States Work Group where MI-MORT was recognized as a one of the leading State Level Mass Fatality Teams and included as a role model and template in the published report.
The formation of MI-MORT taught me valuable lessons in how important forming relationships across multiple agencies and professions can be and how rewarding collaborating can be when done successfully. I will be able to draw on experiences while working with members of the NFDA Board of Directors as President-Elect.
Identifying the need for a state-level mass fatality team, I worked with a number of forensic specialists and related personnel and response teams and brought them together to form MI-MORT, which is now the State of Michigan’s official Mortuary Response Resource.
Over the years, we have added new members and specialties, obtained funding for equipment and trainings, as well as successfully lobbied for state workers compensation benefits for our team members.
One of founding ideas of MI-MORT was to "hope for the best but to train for the worst," and, unfortunately, that became a reality during the COVID-19 Pandemic. On May 1, 2020, MI-MORT was activated for the first time since it was established in 2003. Our planning and readiness proved invaluable to the citizens of Michigan as we deployed in response to the death surges that had overwhelmed the morgues in the metro-Detroit-Wayne County area. MI-MORT's ability to quickly adapt, pivot, and respond to the situation and the ever-changing CDC protocols illustrated all of the years of dedication and hard work of mass fatality training was well worth it.
Our team was able to transfer and shelter remains, safeguard them, and connected with local funeral homes to ensure proper disposition for the families of those that lost loved ones. Together, as volunteers, we were able to secure dignified, safe, and respectful disposition during an unprecedented time.
I’m also very proud of my involvement on the NFDA Mass Fatality Template of States Work Group where MI-MORT was recognized as a one of the leading State Level Mass Fatality Teams and included as a role model and template in the published report.
The formation of MI-MORT taught me valuable lessons in how important forming relationships across multiple agencies and professions can be and how rewarding collaborating can be when done successfully. I will be able to draw on experiences while working with members of the NFDA Board of Directors as President-Elect.
"Years before he served on the Board of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, he took a standing disaster response committee and transformed it into a state-level multi-disciplinary mass fatality response team, now known as MI-MORT. He also drafted the team’s mass fatality response plan, which has been adopted as the state’s official plan."
Philip K Douma
Executive Director, Michigan Funeral Directors Association
“Dutch Nie was instrumental in laying the foundation for MI-MORT, bringing all the partners to the table including the State of Michigan, MDHHS-BETP-CHECC, FEMA, Homeland Security, MSP Emergency Management, MAME, MDA, MSU and WMED Forensic Sciences, and the MFDA. Dutch served as the first Team Commander overseeing the development of the MI-MORT SOP’s, planning and executing Section trainings and full scale Team Exercises. Dutch also led the legislative effort to ensure all Team Members were covered with Worker’s Compensation while training, exercising or on deployment under the State of Michigan.”
Timothy J. Schramm, CFSP, CCO, CMFP
Commander of the Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT)
President/CEO-Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services
Philip K Douma
Executive Director, Michigan Funeral Directors Association
“Dutch Nie was instrumental in laying the foundation for MI-MORT, bringing all the partners to the table including the State of Michigan, MDHHS-BETP-CHECC, FEMA, Homeland Security, MSP Emergency Management, MAME, MDA, MSU and WMED Forensic Sciences, and the MFDA. Dutch served as the first Team Commander overseeing the development of the MI-MORT SOP’s, planning and executing Section trainings and full scale Team Exercises. Dutch also led the legislative effort to ensure all Team Members were covered with Worker’s Compensation while training, exercising or on deployment under the State of Michigan.”
Timothy J. Schramm, CFSP, CCO, CMFP
Commander of the Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT)
President/CEO-Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services