Medical Reserve Corps Serving those with Functional Needs. Tracey Smith Program Officer Office of the Surgeon General / Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps

Medical Reserve Corps Overview: 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

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, MPH Office of the Surgeon General Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps Direct