For several years, the emergency department at the University Hospital of Iceland has operated a mobile triage team. A mobile triage team has been defined as a team that performs medical assistance on scene of an event and its function are analysis, prioritization and first treatment. The team is manned by two nurses and two doctors who are on call at the Emergency Department and are transported from the emergency ward to the scene. In recent years, the role has developed and changed and it is widely thought that "mobile triage team" is a misnomer. Accordingly, the name has been changed to "Mobile medical team" and is this in accordance with international practice.

The role of the University Hospital is to participate in coordinated civil protection response. Recent cuts in health care throughout Iceland have increased this role, since smaller hospitals and primary health clinics have fewer resources to work with. Members of the mobile medical team have to be ready to work outside the safe environment of the emergency department and perform their tasks safely and professionally. It is therefore important that members have the knowledge and skills to handle these tasks and that the equipment is appropriate and meets safety requirements.

The mobile medical team is manned by nurses and doctors working in emergency wards of the University Hospital. The hospital serves as the main hospital in Iceland therefore the mobile medical team supports the whole country. Its role is twofold; It serves as the first response at scenes of the events taking place in the capital area health region. In regions outside the capital area, the mobile medical team supports and advice those responding in the region and carries out projects requested in each case.