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Medical Reserve Corps Serving those with Functional Needs. Tracey Smith Program Officer Office of the Surgeon General / Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps. Medical Reserve Corps. Overview: National Network
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Medical Reserve Corps Serving those with Functional Needs.Tracey SmithProgram OfficerOffice of the Surgeon General / Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps
Medical Reserve Corps Overview: • National Network • Mission to engage volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response and COMMUNITY resiliency • Operates/utilized LOCALLY • Affiliates and integrates with existing programs and resources • Identifies, screens, verifies credentials, trains volunteers • Partners with local organizations (e.g. emergency management, health, industry) • Serves the whole community • Supported by the Office of the Surgeon General/Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps
A Brief History • Following 9/11 attacks, thousands of unaffiliated volunteers showed up at sites to help. • Problems: • No way to ID or credential • Not covered under liability laws • No Incident Command System (ICS) training • No management structure
MRC Model - No “typical” MRC • All MRC units: • Provide an organization structure for utilizing members • Pre-identify members • Verify professional licensure/certification • Train/prepare • Utilize NIMS/ICS • Units vary by: • Housing organizations – LHD, hospital, CHC, faith-based org. • Partner organizations • Types/number of volunteers • Local mission/activities - emergency response, public health, veterinary, juniors.
Units & Volunteers • 987 units • 208,117 volunteers from all sectors of the community • 91% U.S. population covered • Most housed by local health departments
Activities Following an Emergency: • Staffing shelters and clinics • Surge capacity staffing (backfilling for essential employees) – this will be contingent on state and local legal protections • Epi surveillance and investigation assistance • Staffing call centers to address community concerns • Providing community outreach, wellness checks Ongoing • Prevention/disease detection services • “Lets Move”/Obesity Prevention • “Million Hearts”/Blood Pressure Screening • Diabetes detection • Immunization clinics • Health education and health promotion • Heart Healthy lifestyles • Smoking cessation / Alcohol awareness • HIV/AIDS prevention • Hand washing and cough etiquette • Harm reduction practices • Emergency Preparedness • Preparedness training for HC staff and community members • Assistance in developing disaster plans and assembling disaster supplies kits • Pet Preparedness
Functional Needs • Planning • Organizational • Individual e.g knowing medication, equipment information • Training • Functional Assessment Service Team (FAST) • Functional Needs Support Service Summits • Multi-organization workgroups, drills, • Partnerships • ARC, Local EMA, FEMA, HD, hospitals • Health Preparedness Coalitions • Residential homes – elderly, developmental, rehabilitation
Functional Needs • Upper Merrimack Valley MRC, MA • Held a senior citizen breakfast to highlight the importance of creating a 72 hour disaster kit. • Rhode Island MRC, RI • 3 mobile FAST teams activated to respond to Hurricane Sandy, supported 8 shelters. • Greene County MRC, OH • Provided medical support at an ARC shelter for 64 geriatric residents following an apartment complex fire. • Clinton County MRC, IL • Functional Needs Point of Dispensing Site (POD) drill, local residents, many with challenges, served as clients.
Questions? Tracey Smith MSc, MPH Office of the Surgeon General Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corpswww.medicalreservecorps.com Tracey.Smith@hhs.gov 240-453-2847 Direct