Local disaster
volunteers sought When disaster strikes, many of us feel an urgent need to help, as was demonstrated in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers play a critical role in ensuring a rapid and full response to an emergency. Many people want to help during a crisis, but organizing and training volunteers after the crisis has occurred is difficult and ineffective. By volunteering prior to an emergency, volunteers can be trained and provided credentials that allow them to be quickly and effectively deployed.
Bruce Ashley, M.D., Adams County health commissioner, is encouraging anyone interested to sign up as a volunteer with the Tristate Medical Reserve Corps (TMRC). The TMRC is part of a nationwide initiative of the federal government, officially designated by the U.S. Surgeon Generals' Office to provide assistance and depth to our local emergency response teams and healthcare infrastructure.
Eventually, the TMRC database will be the primary volunteer database to be used by the Adams County Health Department in time of need or emergency.
As a volunteer with TMRC, a person's skills and service would aid in the treatment of community members who may be victims of large scale disasters or infectious disease outbreaks. TMRC volunteers could be involved in activities such as providing medical treatment, medication administration or counseling for victims and families. However, the TMRC is not only for the medically trained. Volunteers are needed with all kinds of backgrounds who are willing to help during an emergency. Some TMRC members may also have the opportunity to assist outside the tri-state, as many chose to do following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Registering with the TMRC benefits volunteers in many ways, according to Judy Bennington, Adams County Health Department administrator. It will provide them with liability protection for volunteers during a declared emergency; keep them current on volunteer news and opportunities; allow them password protected access to their registration information so that they may change/update their personal information as necessary; and notify them of upcoming trainings and announcements so that they are better prepared to serve during an emergency. Of course, they are not obligated to volunteer even if they complete the trainings.
There will be an orientation for members of our community that are interested in donating their time and expertise during an emergency. Volunteers can become members of the TMRC by attending the orientation. They can decide how much or how little training they would like to receive. Only this initial two-hour training is required. Additional trainings will be offered but are optional. Once volunteers become members of the TMRC, they are automatically enrolled in the local Medical Reserve Corps.
"It is very important for anyone wishing to volunteer in the event of a disaster to attend this course," Ashley said. "Professional medical people will likely be occupied in their usual roles and there is a need for many more volunteers."
"Introduction to the Tristate Medical Reserve Corps" will be held Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Southern State Gateway Center, 12681 U.S. Route 62. The Adams County Health Department will be joining the Brown County Health Department for the training. To sign up to attend the training session or for more information, please contact the Adams County Health Department at (937) 544-5547 or email adamcohd@odh.ohio.gov. Registration is also available on the web-site.
