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Hampden County MRC units - year in review (fy 2010)

Hampden County Medical Reserve Corps – Fiscal 2010

Overview

Planning for National Emergency Preparedness month had a heightened relevance as H1N1 (swine flu) entered the United States in 2009.  The onset of the pandemic flu created challenges and opportunities for public health and MRC integrated planning and response.

MRC volunteers and coordinators staffed the western MA MRC table at the Big E (Eastern States Exposition).  We provided information on emergency preparedness, flu prevention, flu care at home and distributed thousands of pieces of literature.

The fall continued to be a time of high level public health activity – monitoring pandemic response, vaccine projections, EDS planning, teleconferences and communications with community members as well as educating and alerting MRC volunteers for potential activation.

November brought vaccine to the region with the city of Westfield holding the region’s first large public clinic.  Over 18 MRC volunteers staffed the clinic that distributed over 650 vaccines in four hours.

MRC volunteers were activated through various crisis communication tools including: website email, telephone trees and connect CTY.  With additional PHER funding clinics were given the capacity to chose paying staff – which some opted to do and staffing was reported as sufficient across the region.   Clinics ranged in size from small closed clinics in a school serving students with additional needs to large public clinics held in auditoriums and gymnasiums.  By the end of January, clinics were receiving less people yet most communities maintained available vaccines fro anyone who wanted to be inoculated.

Participation by MRC volunteers was self-reported as, “rewarding…I felt I really helped….glad to be part of helping others.”  Partners in public health and EMS continued to acknowledge the key role of MRC volunteers in pandemic response.  There is also a growing interest in having MRC volunteer participation in comprehensive public health activities throughout the year.

Spring events were highlighted by the first western MA MRC Leadership Conference held at Westfield State College.   The region’s specialty MRC units such as college/university based (STCC, Westfield State College, UMass Amherst) were featured.  Leadership roles and the integration of MRC volunteers in the pandemic response were outlined on the county, regional (WMass) and state levels.  Leaders from MRC units in metro Boston and Southeastern MA presented on “best practices” and leadership qualities.  A full day, two part seminar on “Emotional Resilience” was also offered.

As the Hampden County Health Coalition builds the “Healthy Initiatives” campaign the MRC county coordinator has provided research, materials and outreach to support the coalition.

We are already looking forward to September 2010, National Emergency Preparedness month with ambitious goals to have MRC display tables at schools, “Open House” nights and community events across the county.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Conley Norbut, M.Ed., LMHC 

MRC Field Day!

MRC FIELD DAY

Greater Westfield & Western Hampden County MRC

Invites MRC volunteers, EMS, partner response agencies and their families

To: Westfield State College

On: Saturday, June 26, 2010

From: 1PM Saturday to 1pm Sunday (that’s right – 24 hours!)

For: Communications Expo, Food, Relaxation and Friends

Here’s the small print – make sure you read it…and email Ed Mello, Jr. at emellojr@comcast.net if you have any questions, hope to see you there!

The event will be held behind 333 Western Ave, Westfield Mass. (Building 1) on the attached campus map.  Parking will be on the side of the building and behind it as area permits.  Any over flow will have to be parked in the church parking lot to the left on the map, left hand lot (building 21).  Any licensed HAM operator who is a member of an MRC is invited to show off their mobile/portable/Go Kits or EOC vehicles with the following restrictions:   Nothing is allowed to be driven into the ground anywhere in the lawn due to an underground sprinkler system.  Use ground level supports such as umbrella stands weighted with sand bags and tie downs tied to sand bags as guy wires.  Bring long wire ties to anchor other above ground structures that might be available for use.  There will be no vehicles allowed on any grass surfaces.  We have a “GIVE THE GRASS A CHANCE TO GROW” Policy at the campus.

GWWHC MRC Inc., represents Westfield and surrounding communities all interested community members are encouraged to attend.  The GWWHC MRC unit is part of the Hampden County and Western MA MRC Advisory Groups.   For more information about the Medical Reserve Corps visit, www.wmmrc.org