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MRC Volunteer Spotlight

Ed Mello, Jr., RN, EMS specialist is known throughout Hampden County and Western Massachusetts as the “go to guy” for information and assistance for EMT training. Ed’s leadership with the Greater Westfield and Western Hampden County MRC unit extends beyond his volunteer role as the coordinator of the MRC unit.

His commitment to building the MRC unit, which has matured to be an essential part of public health preparedness and response in Westfield, is remarkable. He has recruited a top-notch, diverse group of volunteers with expertise in Amateur Radio (HAM) communications, EMS, and community response. As a faculty member at Westfield State College, Ed has assisted in pioneering the emergency preparedness program that is positioning the college to become the premier educational institution for Homeland Preparedness in the northeast. Look for future announcements about a no-cost conference for MRC Coordinators and MRC team leaders in April 2010 at Westfield State College.

Volunteer Service and the MRC Mission

The following announcement was sent from the national MRC program office:  Please consider joining your local Medical Reserve Corps.

Colleagues: Initiated by Congress in 1994, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service transforms the federal holiday honoring Dr. King into a national day of community service. The commemoration has grown steadily from a local project to a nationwide movement, which honors the life and teachings of Dr. King.

Instead of seeing January 18th as just a day off from work, the Day of Service seeks to make the holiday a day for volunteerism, where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to strengthen their community, bridge social barriers, and move our Nation closer to the “beloved community” that Dr. King envisioned.

There are many ways for you and your families to get involved.  To find an opportunity near you, visit: http://www.serve.gov/mlkday.asp#serve

Letter of Thanks to MRC's from Commissioner Auerbach

Dear Colleagues:

I would like to extend my appreciation to the thousands of volunteers in the 45 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units based in Massachusetts who have been called upon more often than ever before because of the H1N1 virus. You have lived up to your mission of improving the health and safety of communities across Massachusetts by organizing and utilizing public health, medical and other volunteers.

MRC members have generously provided their time and effort to support hundreds of public H1N1 and seasonal flu clinics throughout the Commonwealth over the past several months. Your support has been and will continue to be crucial to the continued success of our efforts to protect the public from H1N1 through mass vaccination and other means.

MRC members have also assisted in community education and awareness campaigns and assisted in planning and exercises in preparation for the mass vaccination efforts that helped ensure success during the H1N1 pandemic. Many people in the highest-risk groups have been vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. And, for the moment, H1N1 flu illness has declined in most areas. But, we are only at the beginning of the traditional flu season and H1N1 could return with a vengeance. Therefore, we still need your support to continue the vaccination efforts, to educate and inform the public about the flu and to be on call for the unpredictable.

Once again, thank you for your past efforts and for your ongoing commitment to protecting the public’s health. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy new year – with less illness (H1N1 and otherwise) and fewer emergencies.

Sincerely,

John Auerbach,
Commissioner

MRC called a 'Hidden Treasure

 In support of our Mission to Build Strong, Healthy and Prepared Communities, Berkshire Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have worked hundreds of hours to date at area H1N1 clinics.  Here is what one public health official has to say:

“Your volunteers were great!! Everything went very well and I would like to thank all of your for your support. The MRC is a hidden treasure that many don't know about."

J.W. Pittsfield

If you would like to be involved in something meaningful in the New Year, please sign up to assist at an H1N1 Clinic. It's important, and it's fun!    

Prepare yourself for an emergency - at HOME!

YouTube Video about 911 and Volunteering

9-11 and the Medical Reserve Corps

"These were the many health professionals who stepped forward to volunteer on that day and the days that followed"

HHS Secretary Sebelius calls for health professionals to consider enlisting in the Medical Reserve Corps. www.medicalreservecorps.gov

This is a product of www.hhs.gov

SWINE FLU PUBLIC HEALTH FACT SHEET

Updated September 3, 2009
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108

What is swine influenza?

Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of influenza virus. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but its possible for swine flu viruses to spread from one person to another. In the United States there were 12 cases of swine flu in people from 2006 through 2008. In March and April 2009 there have been many more cases of swine flu than usual in both Mexico and the U.S. and the infections have spread from one person to another.

For more information about seasonal flu, pandemic flu, avian flu and swine flu, please visit the websites listed below or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health website on influenza
http://www.mass.gov/dph/flu/
Center for Disease Control (CDC) websites on swine flu
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are encouraged to follow core competency trainings on personal and family preparedness with emphasis on response strategies (e.g. hand hygiene, coughing/sneezing etiquette and contingency plans).

For more information contact your MRC Unit Coordinator.

Cities and Towns Prepare for Pandemic; Some Say Cuts May Hamper Efforts

Posted Tuesday, May 1, 2009

AMHERST, MA (2009-05-01) With the first confirmed cases of swine flu in New England this week, public health officials say they're poised to take action, if the outbreak intensifies. But there are concerns that recent cuts in public health budgets might hamper some efforts. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports.

MRC Volunteers participate in Distant Storm `09 Training Exercise

Chicopee - On a beautiful Saturday in June, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers from across Hampden County participated in the Distant Storm training exercise at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, MA.  Many months of planning between the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS), area hospitals, EMS, fire, public health and Westover Air Reserve Base personnel with volunteer partners including the Medical Reserve Corps and the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross culminated in a full-scale exercise at the base.

Westover Air Reserve Base is a patient receiving base should hospitals in other regions of the country be compromised by natural or man-made disasters.  The teams of MRC volunteers who had participated in trainings to learn more about personal and family preparedness, Incident Command System and Psychological First Aid performed diverse functions throughout the day.  Town of Longmeadow MRC volunteer Sherry Mandell, RN reported that this was the first time she had experienced anything like a military exercise.  Sherry stated, It was a great learning experience (which I hope we will never have to use in a real life situation) and a lot of fun.  MRC volunteers transported and attended to over three dozen mannequin patients that arrived by airplane to a base hangar which was the site of the operations.  American Red Cross volunteers fed and keep personnel hydrated.  Chicopee MRC Coordinator, Tammy Szlachetka was thrilled to see the Chicopee volunteers participate in the exercise as members of the host community for Westover Air Reserve Base and stated,   It is a special feeling to have the City of Chicopees health department and MRC volunteers involved in these important planning exercises.  Should the need arise, we will be prepared.  Volunteers from the Chicopee, Holyoke, Longmeadow, Monson, Springfield, West Springfield, and Greater Westfield and Western Hampden County units participated in the exercise.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was initiated shortly after the events of September 11, 2001.  There are currently nine MRC units in Hampden County, fifteen in western Massachusetts and over forty MRC units in the state.  The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps in our region is to build healthy and resilient communities.  For more information about the Medical Reserve Corps or to become a volunteer visit www.wmmrc.org or call Kathleen Conley Norbut, M.Ed., LMHC, Coordinator, MRC Western MA at (413) 454-5163.

MRC Volunteers Respond to Ice Storm 12.12.08

12.14.08

The following information is provided as a summary of events of Medical Reserve Corps unit and volunteer activity in response to the state of emergency declared by Governor Deval L. Patrick due to the severe winter ice storm of December 12, 2008.  Please send me an email to acknowledge your receipt of this report.

The Franklin County MRC, Holyoke MRC and UMass MRC units responded to requests by the Pioneer Valley American Red Cross and Mary Clark, Director of Emergency Preparedness Bureau, Mass Dept. of Public Health.  MRC volunteers from western MA staffed shelters in Heath, Shelburne Falls, Warwick, Williamsburg, Gardner and Worcester.  Shelters were open to individuals and families without power including people needing additional assistance.  Medical, behavioral health and general support services were rendered.  Additionally, a MRC Unit Coordinator, who sheltered in place, assisted National Guard in the town of New Salem.

The Franklin County MRC worked in concert with CERT volunteers under the shared umbrella of Citizens Corps.  MRC volunteers trained as HAM radio operators assisted with shelter operations and communications.  HHAN was utilized by the Franklin County MRC unit coordinator, Chet Chin to activate the unit.  Telephone trees and emails were utilized to contact volunteers and for the western MA Coordinator, Kathleen Norbut to release information, coordinate and update Unit Coordinators on shelter status.  Stephanie Bozigian-Merrick, RN, one of the Holyoke MRC charter members, staffed a large shelter in Worcester and compiled an in-depth evaluation for recommendations.  

Shelters have begun to close as power is being restored to portions of central and western MA.  The value of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, training and responsiveness was tested with this event.  The results were positive.  Thank you to all who engaged and to those willing to assist when needed.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Conley Norbut, M.Ed., LMHC
Coordinator, MRC Western MA
Coordinator, MRC Hampden County

Shelter Training for MRC Volunteers

Our partner organization, the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has recently expanded coverage to include Hampshire and Franklin Counties.  The PV ARC is offering Shelter Training for MRC Volunteers; all volunteers are encouraged to take this training.

Please visit the Calendar to register for upcoming shelter training opportunities

Hampden County Emergency Preparedness Communication Drill

On November 12, 2008, the Hampden County Health Coalition conducted a communication drill to test systems for public health, emergency response and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.

The state HHAN (Health and Homeland Alert Network) was utilized for the drill.