Medical Reserve Corps Serving those with Functional Needs.

Tracey SmithProgram Officer

Office of the Surgeon General / Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps

Medical Reserve CorpsOverview:• 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

Housing Organizations

67%

10%

4%

6%

3%

3%2%

2% 1%

1% 1%

Board of Health/Health DepartmentEmergency Management AgencyHospital/Health SystemOtherNon-Governmental OrganizationCitizen Corps CouncilMedical SocietyEMS AgencyCollege/UniversityPlanning Council/CommissionVolunteer Center

Volunteers

Activities 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

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

Training - Oklahoma MRC

Response - South Central Missouri

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- continued

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.

Functional Needs- picture (1)

Functional Needs - picture (2)

Functional Needs- picture (3)

Questions?

Tracey Smith MSc, MPHOffice of the Surgeon General

Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps

www.medicalreservecorps.com

Tracey.Smith@hhs.gov240-453-2847 Direct