Escambia County : Escambia County MEDICAL
RESERVE CORPS
AND REGISTRY
Finding Self in the Service of Others
Escambia County Health Department, Director John J. Lanza, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAP
1295 W. Fairfield Drive, Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 595-6500
“Protecting the public’s health since 1821”
PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES : PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES Define the Medical Reserve Corps and its mission.
Identify the functions and responsibilities of the MRC.
Describe Risk Vulnerabilities pertaining to Esc. County
Identify community benefits with an MRC.
Identify the job tasks assigned to MRC unit members.
MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS? SO YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF ONE? LET’S ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS. : MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS? SO YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF ONE? LET’S ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS.
Where did it come from?
What is an MRC?
Where did we get one?
What does an MRC do?
Where are we going with it?
What does an MRC have to do with me?
===================
MRC – THE BEGINNING . . . : MRC – THE BEGINNING . . .
After “9-11”, a surge of “What can I do to help?”
Pres. Bush – ’02 State of Union Address
Called upon citizens to make life-time commitment to volunteer time/service
Created USA Freedom Corps to organize volunteers
MRC is component of Freedom Corps
Funded by OSG Federal Grant
Over 50 MRC’s formed in first year
“You have to become involved to make an impact. No one is impressed with the won/loss record of the referee.” --John Holcomb
CORPS “BIG PICTURE” : CORPS “BIG PICTURE” USA Freedom Corps – The “Parent” Corps
Citizens Corps
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) (created in 2002)
Volunteers in Policing (VIP)
National Neighborhood Watch
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Terrorism Information and Prevention System (TIPS)
AmeriCorps (created in 1993)
American Red Cross
Habitat for Humanity
Boys/Girls Clubs
Senior Corps
Foster Grandparent Program
Senior Companion Program
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Peace Corps (created in 1960)
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." — Unknown
MRC – WHAT IS IT? : MRC – WHAT IS IT? Major local emergencies (fire, flood, HazMat, epidemics, large-scale events, etc.) can overwhelm capabilities of first responders such as Fire, Law Enforcement, EMS, etc.
A Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit is a community-based, organized group of volunteers (medical and non-medical) intended to supplement existing community medical and emergency response systems.
Helps provide surge capacity (on-site or at treatment location) during event’s initial hours, before other help arrives.
A valuable asset for helping address on-going, significant public heath concerns throughout the year.
“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.”
DeAnn Hollis
RISK VULNERABILITIES (Potential to Produce Mass Victims/Casualties) : RISK VULNERABILITIES (Potential to Produce Mass Victims/Casualties) Incidents of Nature
Hurricanes - Severe Thunderstorms
Tornadoes - Floods
Hazardous Materials Incidents
I-10, Hwy’s 29, 90 and 98 - Numerous Pipelines
Burlington and CSX Railroads - 11 Port Facilities
Pensacola Regional Airport
Domestic Security Incidents
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Explosives (NBCE)
Decontamination Plans
MPIPs (SARS, Smallpox, Botulism, Anthrax, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Plague, etc.)
"You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give." --Winston Churchill
LOCAL EMERGENCY EXPERIENCES Last 25 Years : LOCAL EMERGENCY EXPERIENCES Last 25 Years 1979 Nat’l Airline 727 crashed in Pensacola Bay; Tanker Truck accident resulted in Anhydrous Ammonia leak. Both incidents resulted in casualties.
1984 – Abortion Clinic bombings.
1995 – Train derailment, Hurricanes Opal and Erin
1998 – Train derailment, Hurricane George
2000 – Tornado touch downs
2001 – Tornado touch downs; Beulah wildfire, high-volume natural gas line explosion
2002 – Tropical Storm Isidore
2004 – “White Powder” incident at Federal Bldg
Past the beggar and the suffering walk he who asks, 'Why, oh God, do you not do something for these people?' To which God replied, 'I did do something, I made you.‘ -old Sufi saying
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY : BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
An organized, team approach.
Activated during emergencies or disasters.
Provides a structure/framework for effective use of resources.
Ensures deployment in planned, coordinated effort consistent with community emergency response plans.
Mechanism ensuring volunteers have appropriate credentials for their assignments.
“Definition of volunteering: Doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good.” --Ivan Scheier
HOW DID WE GET AN MRC? : HOW DID WE GET AN MRC?
July ’03, ECHD applied for Federal Grant
Awarded by and administered through Office of the Surgeon General (as a Demonstration Project)
Approximately 150 units nationwide
10 in Florida (Counties of Collier, Lake, Palm Beach, Duval, Monroe, Broward, Lee, Pasco, City of Orlando)
Local MRC is under the general guidance of ECHD Director - Dr. John Lanza
Part of Public Health Preparedness Section
Housed at Northside Clinic, 8390 N. Palafox
“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” -- Anonymous
WHERE ARE WE GOING? THE MRC MISSION . . . : WHERE ARE WE GOING? THE MRC MISSION . . . Engage Volunteers
Health Care Professionals
Administrative and Support Personnel
To help the community
Prepare for, respond to, and mitigate
Emergencies, disasters and pressing health care needs
In order to supplement and assist local emergency and medical systems responses
By providing a group of readily trained and available professionals.
“You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” --Unknown
WHAT ARE WE DOING? : WHAT ARE WE DOING? Recruiting Health Care Professionals (active AND retired) from all fields: physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, EMS, medical students
Recruiting Administrative, Clerical and Support
Matching volunteer skills to community needs
Developing plans
Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
Mass Prophylaxis and Immunization (MPIP)
Training
Developing job descriptions and competencies
Planning/Conducting tabletop exercises and drills to test the plan
"Destiny is not necessarily what we get out of life, but rather, what we give." --Cary Grant
EXAMPLES OF MEDICAL TASKS WHEN MRC IS ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED : EXAMPLES OF MEDICAL TASKS WHEN MRC IS ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED
Triage
Medical Screening and Evaluation
Medication and/or Vaccine Preparation
Medication and/or Vaccine Dispensing
Medical Dispensing Assistant
Emergency Medical Services
Mental Health / Crisis Counseling
You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do. -- Henry Ford
EXAMPLES OF NON-MEDICAL TASKS WHEN MRC IS ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED : EXAMPLES OF NON-MEDICAL TASKS WHEN MRC IS ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED
Greeters
Forms and Information Distribution
Orientation/Education
Registration
Transportation
Data Collection
Administrative/Clerical
Interpreters
Phone Bank Operators
One hand alone does not clap. --Arab Proverb
COMMUNITY PARTNERS Play a Heavy Role in MPIP : COMMUNITY PARTNERS Play a Heavy Role in MPIP ECHD Pensacola Police Dep’t
Esc. Co. Emergency Mgm’t Pensacola Fire Services
Esc. Co. Emerg Medical Svcs Florida Highway Patrol
Esc. Co. Public Works Pensacola Junior College
Esc. Co. Schools University of W. Florida
Esc. Co. Transportation Pensacola Civic Center
Esc. Co. Fire Services FL 1-DMAT
Esc Co. Public Info Office American Red Cross
Esc. Co. Sheriff’s Department Esc. Co Medical Society
FDLE Esc. Pharmacy Assoc
National Guard
MRC – BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING : MRC – BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
Make a difference
Sense of pride and accomplishment through Community service and involvement
Networking and interaction with like-minded peers
New experiences
Learning opportunities, skill development
Training opportunities
Professional CEUs
Disaster/Emergency Response Opportunities
Liability covered by FL Volunteer Protection Act, 768.1355
"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." --~Ghandi
VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES (Choose either Corps or Registry) : VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES (Choose either Corps or Registry) Reserve Corps Responsibilities
Volunteer time, service, expertise
Attend/participate in MRC meetings and training sessions
Assist in the planning, responding and/or recovery phases
Abide by Volunteer Code of Ethics
Act as MRC Ambassador/Recruiter
Reserve Registry Responsibilities
Register name and contact information
Complete awareness level on-line briefings/trainings
Corps AND Registry Responsibilities
Be available, willing and prepared to respond to emergencies
Work in a high-risk environment
Be aware of MRC Standard Operating Guidelines
Allow for screening, references, credentials and background check
You can't leave footprints in the sands of time while sitting down. --Nelson Rockefeller.
WHY MRC? BECAUSE . . . : WHY MRC? BECAUSE . . . . . . failure is not an option. (E. Kranz, Flight Dir. Apollo 13)
. . . being ready to respond in an emergency does not just happen.
. . . random effort produces random results.
. . . planning and preparedness are a journey, not a destination.
. . . the process is never finished.
. . . consistent communication and regular training are essentials.
. . . readiness requires planning, organization and practice.
. . . no one person or agency can do it alone.
. . . if we don’t, who will?
“We are all like one-winged angels. It is only when we help each other that we can fly.” --Luciano de Crescenzo
A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS : A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS “A volunteer is a person who believes that people can make a difference – and is willing to prove it.”
--Anonymous
Are you that person?
Slide20 : For further information or for an MRC application, contact:
Dave Pingel, MRC Coordinator
Escambia County Health Department
Northside Clinic
8390 N. Palafox, Pensacola, Fl 32534
850-484-5163
David_Pingel@doh.state.fl.us
http://doh.state.fl.us/CHDEscambia/MRC.htm