Town of Amherst, Massachusetts


AMHERST MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS

	Mission Statement Background Amherst MRC Success Stories Application Process Contact Information Mission Statement The Amherst Medical Reserve Corps is an interdisciplinary team of volunteers whose mission is to support the existing public health infrastructure by enhancing public health emergency response and increasing community awareness of public health issues. The Amherst MRC is committed to supplementing local health care resources in times of natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism or other public health emergencies and to serve the community through ongoing public outreach programs and education. Top Background Amherst Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) recruitment efforts began in August 2004. Since then the team has averaged 30 members. These members come from a variety of professional areas to volunteer their skills. The Amherst MRC is made up of nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, emergency medical technicians, massage therapists, an epidemiologist, and other MRC support positions. Members do not need previous medical or disaster training, however, they will be asked to train to support medical or public health emergency related operations. Specific areas of focus for the Amherst MRC include but are not limited to Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) operations, clinics in conjunction with emergency shelters or decontamination operations, household emergency preparedness education, and other public health education and outreach projects as deemed necessary in the community. The Amherst Medical Reserve Corps is committed to participating in or hosting four community-oriented outreach events and/or drills per year. The Amherst MRC meets one evening a month for a brief meeting followed by training. For more information about upcoming trainings, contact Michael Nelson at michaelnelsonmba@hotmail.com . MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers—medical professionals and others—who want to donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year and to prepare for and respond to emergencies. For reasons of public safety, volunteer and staff security, training, and credential verification, it is important to pre-credential and pre-train volunteers who will work during a public health emergency or disaster. Amherst MRC volunteers are trained as a team on variety of issues and topics that are crucial to communication, safety, and procedures in an actual operation. MRC volunteers supplement existing local emergency and public health resources. The National Medical Reserve Corps Program was originally piloted in 2002 and is a component of the Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. For more information visit www.medicalreservecorps.gov. Be sure to check out the Western Massachusetts MRC website often! You can find MRC training videos, helpful links, and a course calendar for all MRCs in the area! Top Amherst MRC Success Stories: MRC SAFE Training at Amherst Fire Department was a Hit In September 2005 members of the Amherst MRC became community role modes and experts on fire safety and what to do if a fire happens in their home. SAFE instructors from the Amherst Fire Department’s award winning SAFE program created an adult version of the SAFE program which included an overview of firefighting and fire safety basics as well as hands-on skills. The September 19, training gave the MRC members a chance to refresh their memories on what to expect when an emergency take place—and how-to strategies. According to Firefighter/SAFE Instructor John Ingram, “The program will gave participants the opportunity to practice and demonstrate how to use a fire extinguisher and escape from a hazardous environment.” MRC members “escaped” from the (theatrical) smoke filled training room of the SAFE trailer. Firefighters also demonstrated the Hazardous Materials Decontamination Unit and gave an overview of its intended use. 2004 Drill Was the First of its Kind in Massachusetts In November of 2004, the Amherst Medical Reserve Corps participated as the medical staff for a regional functional exercise to test the community’s ability to distribute medication at an Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) in the event of a public health emergency. The MRC staffed the Amherst dispensing site, located in the Amherst Regional Middle School and an MRC member served as the Staging Site Commander at the Amherst High School. Students from the University of Massachusetts volunteered to be mock patients for the drill. A simultaneous exercise was coordinated in Northampton, Massachusetts. Collaborating agencies for the Amherst site included the Easthampton MRC, Hampshire Regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the MMRS, the Northampton Emergency Dispatch Center, the Amherst Police, Fire, Public Works, Health, and School Departments. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) from two local communities also participated to test mutual aid capabilities. Top Application Process Amherst Medical Reserve Corps applicants must provide the following in order to complete their application: · Amherst MRC Application Form · CORI/SORB Permission Form · Copy of relevant current certification(s) or license(s) You may also apply online at www.wmmrc.org Application materials can be mailed, faxed, dropped off, or emailed to Leslie Saulsberry at: Amherst MRC Amherst Health Department Bangs Community Center 70 Boltwood Walk Amherst, MA 01002 Fax: 413-259-2404 Phone: 413-259-3077 Email: saulsberryl@amherstma.gov Amherst MRC Contact Information: Leslie Saulsberry Amherst Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator saulsberryL@amherstma.gov 413-259-3077 Michael Nelson Hampshire County Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator 413-522-0712 michaelnelsonmba@hotmail.com Contact Information for joining a different MRC in your area: Visit the Western Massachusetts MRC website to find a location near you! www.wmmrc.org To Start an MRC in Your Community Go to www.medicalreservecorps.gov. At left of screen click on “Start an MRC.” Other contacts for starting an MRC: Jennifer J. Frenette Regional Coordinator Medical Reserve Corps DHHS Region 1 – New England Jennifer.frenette@hhs.gov Phone: 603-788-2769 Fax: 603-631-0464 Regina Villa Massachusetts MRC Coordinator/Department of Public Health Contractor Regina Villa Associates reginavilla98@yahoo.com Phone: 978-526-8814 Fax: 978-52 Top Viewing and printing PDF documents requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader; free software that can be downloaded from Adobe's website.