Mind and Body: Medical Reserve Corps there to help in emergencies
Published 9:03 am Thursday, December 12, 2019
Despite the insane traffic and crowded shopping conditions this time of year, many of us are able to extend a spirit of good cheer by giving to those who may be less fortunate. And some give not only monetary donations but also give their time and energy through volunteering.
We may stand in the cold, ringing a bell for the Salvation Army’s red kettle, or deliver food baskets for Operation Happiness, or help serve a meal at a homeless shelter. These endeavors are limited because they are seasonal.
There are other year-round opportunities in our community to volunteer, including the American Red Cross, the Clark Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and Clark County Community Services.
The services of some may require accepting challenges that are quite inconvenient as they are not routinely scheduled but are in response to emergencies and disasters.
One such group is the local Medical Reserve Corps which is sponsored by the Clark County Health Department. The Clark County MRC is just one of almost 1,000 community-based units across the country involving the service of almost 200,000 volunteers. This network of locally-organized volunteers seeks to improve the health and safety of their communities.
The MRC program was developed in response to the call to action for volunteerism by President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union Address, following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The desire to do something to help at that time was strong and many chose to sign-up for military service. But for those wanting to serve in some capacity locally, there was little to no opportunity available.
The Medical Reserve Corps was one of several programs developed to provide that opportunity, for medical and non-medical personnel.
Though it may seem unlikely an organization called the Medical Reserve Corps would enlist non-medical volunteers, when operating a medical dispensing operation, just as in a doctor’s office, there are as many if not more non-medical tasks to be performed than medical.
There are many reasons for joining a volunteer organization like the MRC prior to an emergency or disaster. Primarily, it allows an interested person time to meet the criteria to be vetted as one who is trustworthy, confirmed as medically credentialed and personally prepared to respond before they are needed.
All MRC volunteers must adhere to a criminal background check. After the 2012 tornado ravaged Eastern Kentucky, one of the biggest problems responders had to contend with was sight-seers who not only wanted to gawk at the damage but also take advantage of unsecured damaged businesses and homes. We must ensure those who respond can be trusted.
Every MRC volunteer with a healthcare certification or medical license has his/her credentials verified and annually reviewed to determine they are up-to-date. Though local healthcare/medical persons may be able to respond appropriately in a small community because people know each other, the same is not true if there is no one to confirm a volunteer’s credentials.
One of the saddest stories shared about the response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 related how a doctor wanted to help and offered his services, only to be assigned the job of unloading a supply truck because there was no way to verify his credentials at the time.
Volunteers are of limited value if they are not trained to understand and follow the response structure or protocol. MRC volunteers are encouraged to take the same basic FEMA training courses as all emergency responders, even though they may not be on the front lines of a disaster.
All training for local MRC volunteers is free, including CPR, family preparedness, risk communication, psychology of disasters and infection control.
Though some may be willing to serve and have been properly trained, it is unlikely anyone will respond if he/she is not certain their family can manage safely while they are away. Training and assistance are provided to encourage volunteers to develop a family disaster plan and assemble a family disaster supply kit.
In addition to preparing to respond to emergencies and disasters, since our unit is supported by the local health department, we assist them with other public health challenges when needed. These might include contributing to community activities that promote healthy habits, such as obesity reduction and tobacco cessation.
The local unit generally meets once a quarter to stay abreast of community needs and service opportunities and to provide occasions for training. The next meeting, which will be open to the public, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. The topic for this meeting will be “E-Cigarettes and Vaping: What’s the Big Deal?” The location will be announced later.
Over the last few years, the MRC has collaborated with the high school Area Technology Center’s Health Occupation Students of America students with some joint projects. Last year, they participated as victims in the region-wide Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program full-scale exercise, taught first aid to elementary school students, produced a public service video about making home preparedness kits, as well as collaborated with an Eastern Kentucky University student on a Hepatitis A study.
If anyone might be interested in joining the local MRC unit, sign up online through the ReadyOp communication system ky.readyop.com/contact/register/71, giving their name and contact information.
Within a week or two, the local unit leader will send a registration form to be filled out online, after which a personal contact will be made to arrange for the completion of the approval process.
More information on the Medical Reserve Corps is available online at medicalreservecorps.gov, or by contacting the Clark County MRC unit leader Jim Cowan at 859-385-4453 or jamesm.cowan@ky.gov.