Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers Needed

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  October 2, 2103. Ten years ago after 9/11, emergency service providers realized that there needed to be clearance and ID for medical personnel who volunteer in a catastrophic emergency.  Several doctors and nurses turned up at the World Trade Center but were denied access because the police and rescue service could not determine if they were, indeed, qualified medical or emergency response providers.

Mike Weibel, Bear River Health Emergency Services and liaison to the Rich County Emergency Services said that pools of volunteers have been created who can supplement local hospital, public health and emergency medical systems. They are called the Medical Reserve Corps.  There are 12 MRC units administered by each of the state’s twelve local health departments.   Money comes from the federal government with no strings attached. Each unit can design a program that works in their area.  Over 205,000 people are involved nationally.  Our tri-county area has 213 volunteers.  Half have medical backgrounds but the rest are trained as support.  They work when the hospitals are overwhelmed.  The volunteers are pre credentialed, and trained so that they can help immediately.   Not only in natural disasters or in terrorist attacks can they help, but when there is a flu pandemic for example, there might be a need to give thousands of flu shots in a short period of time.  The nurse gives the shots, but the logistic people get paperwork done, get the vaccine, keep it at the right temperature, and then watch for any reactions.  The nurse can give a shot in 22 seconds with that support staff.

They also help with shelter for fires and work with the Red Cross if it is available.   They are prepared to get medication to every single person within 48 hours if there is something like an anthrax or other biological weapon scare.

The Medical Reserve Corps have a team of mental health people to deal with mass incidents, they send a team over to help with disaster mental health immediately.  Post disaster assessment teams are sent out to see what the health care needs are.  The MRC are ready for flood or earthquake and make sure that in a flood that there are people to take care of mold or contaminants.  Not a lot of time is needed to volunteer.  The Rich County volunteers meet with Mike Weibel once a year.  They can join online.  There is some training offered to understand the chain of command and to  simulate disasters and participate in special events like children’s health screenings.  Liability protection for these responders fall under both federal and state law responding to an emergency or in training.   Weibel  said that  information can be found at www.utahresponds.org  or at mweibel@brhd.org or 435 792 6520.