The MMRT is divided into three teams which are strategically placed throughout the state for rapid deployment.

The Northern Team is based in Lowndes County The Northern Team is based in Lowndes County. The Central Team is based in Yazoo County. The Southern Team is based in Harrison County.

Each MMRT team has a response trailer fully equipped to provide the capability of processing up to 100 remains.

In addition, each team also has a Mortuary Enhanced Remains Cooling System (MERC®) trailer which contains equipment to temporarily cool and store up to 48 remains during the recovery and identification processes.

There is also a fourth MERC® trailer located in Jackson There is also a fourth MERC® trailer located in Jackson. All four units combined can provide the capability to cool and store up to 192 remains after a mass fatality event.

When a mass fatality event or disaster occurs and local authorities determine that local resources are overwhelmed and unable to cope with the incident, they can request assistance through their local Emergency Management Director.

The local EMA/EOC requests assistance from the State EOC The local EMA/EOC requests assistance from the State EOC. Requests for the MMRT would be forwarded to the MSDH Duty Officer. Once approved, the team would be deployed.

Team members would be alerted through the Mississippi Responder Management System and would be given their deployment orders.

All team members are expected to be prepared to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of their deployment.

In April 2011, tornadoes struck the Smithville area resulting in 17 deaths. In April 2014, tornadoes struck the Louisville area resulting in 11 deaths.