NWTEMC Medical Reserve Corps Roberta Losik-Welch

NWTEMC Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council Group of Northwest tribes working together to develop emergency management programs for their respective tribes Shared resources for development of CEMP’s, NIMS compliance, training, drills, exercises, grant-writing and governmental issues

NWTEMC (10) Member Tribes:  Lummi Nation  Nooksack Indian Tribe  Samish Indian Nation  Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe  Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe  Snoqualmie Tribe  Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians  Swinomish Indian Tribal Community  Tulalip Tribes  Upper Skagit Tribe

Washington Tribes

Washington State 18 MRC Units Carnation-Duvall MRC Carnation, WA Central Washington MRC Yakima, WA Fall City MRC Fall City, WA Grays Harbor Emergency Health Worker Reserve Corps Aberdeen, WA Aberdeen, WA Island County MRC Coupeville, WA Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management MRC Bremerton, WA MRC of Eastern Washington Spokane, WA NWTEMC – MRC (7/07) Multi-tribe representation Pierce County MRC Tacoma, WA Public Health Reserve Corps for Seattle and King County Seattle, WA Region IV MRC (Southwest Washington) Vancouver, WA Skagit County MRC Mt Vernon, WA Snohomish County MRC Everett, WA Snoqualmie Tribe MRC (7/07) Snoqualmie, WA Tulalip Tribes MRC (5/07) Tulalip, WA Vashon Island MRC Vashon Is, WA Vashon Is, WA Washington Region 3 MRC Olympia, WA Whatcom County MRC Bellingham, WA

NWTEMC Tribes 10 Tribes 5 western WA counties Tribal lands covering over 40,000 acres Acreage varies per tribe from ~20 to >20,000 Combined enrolled tribal members >13,000 Populations vary on reservations for each tribe

NWTEMC Tribes 8 tribes operate a health clinic –Recruitment –Resources 8 tribes operate a tribal casino –Planning –Management, Health & Safety Dept

How will the NWTEMC - MRC program work within our tribal communities?

Overview of NWTEMC Medical Reserve Corps  Collaborative MRC unit for member tribes of the NWTEMC  Representatives from each tribe  Encourage each tribe to consider using MRC resources in their communities

NWTEMC - MRC Primary –recruit and train volunteers for emergency response within tribal communities –support tribal emergency management, existing EMS and tribal health clinics Secondary –participate in community health outreach and education programs

How is the NWTEMC - MRC program different from individual tribe, city or county MRC programs?

NWTEMC - MRC MRC unit representing a consortium of tribes. MRC unit operates with the purpose of intertribal exchange of MRC resources including: Shared equipment and personnel Coordinated training and exercises Assistance with individual MRC units

Some challenges: Individuality of tribes and tribal governments Mitigation planning Cultural sites and ceremonies Tribal and non-tribal residents Casinos, hotels, business parks Emergency Management depts new, very short-staffed, lack funding Tribes are located within counties with already existing MRC units

Recruitment Tribal Offices of Emergency Management Presentations to Tribal Councils and Boards of Directors for approval Presentations at Tribal Health Clinics Health fairs and community events Tribal newspapers Mailings to tribal members and employees

Application process ? Coordinated with counties within which each tribe is located ? Registration entered into state database with possible future use of WAHVE (Washington Health Volunteers in Emergencies) WA State emergency worker application HandbookOrientationScreening

Volunteer Training OrientationICS/NIMSCPR/AED BBP (Bloodborne Pathogens) POD (Point-of-Distribution) Field Triage Communications CULTURAL EDUCATION

NWTEMC – MRC PARTNERS Tribal Councils/Boards of Directors Tribal Emergency Management Agencies Tribal Health Clinics Tribal Police Departments Fire Departments Public Health Departments Community Volunteer Organizations Local Schools and Colleges Local, state and federal agencies

NWTEMC – MRC Where we’re at: Unit approved July 2007 Collaborative activities MRC representatives from each tribe Volunteer application, screening and orientation Volunteer recruitment within communities MOU’s with partners

Monthly NWTEMC meetings –MRC regular agenda item Bi-annual NWTEMC conference for WA tribes – June/November 2007 Funding sources for MRC program Also developing other programs: –CERT –RACES –BlockWatch NWTEMC – MRC Where we’re at:

NWTEMC – MRC Where we’re going: Have trained, prepared MRC volunteers to assist within the tribal communities of WA State during emergencies Demonstrate sensitivity and respect towards cultural aspects within those Native American communities Work with ALL partners to identify and address the needs of each individual tribal community Educate tribal communities on emergency preparedness Participate in community outreach & health programs

Suggestions for contacting tribes: Establish relationships early in process and PRIOR to emergency Contact local tribe(s) through: –Tribal Health Clinic –Emergency Management Dept Identify representative(s) to get involved in MRC or to consult for local MRC activities Ask about specific cultural issues to consider when responding to an emergency Encourage tribe to consider forming a unit

NWTEMC Medical Reserve Corps Each tribe is encouraged to participate and utilize MRC resources in their communities.

NWTEMC Medical Reserve Corps QUESTIONS???

Roberta Losik-Welch NWTEMC – MRC Unit Director (360) NWTEMC - MRC updates and NWTEMC contact information are posted to the NWTEMC website: