Central Florida MRC Volunteers building Strong, Healthy, and Prepared Communities
OBJECTIVES � Understand the background of the MRC � Describe how MRC fits into the Public Health Infrastructure � Identify Central Florida MRC procedures and policies for Disaster Activation and deployment process � Identify the Central Florida MRC Requirements and Benefits
M EDICAL R ESERVE C ORPS IS … � The MRC is a community- based of group of healthcare and administrative professionals who volunteer their time and skills to support emergency medical workers during an emergency or disaster. � We are your community member, your neighbor, co- worker, all helping to prepare.
H ISTORY OF MRC • Following 9-11 attacks, thousands of unaffiliated volunteers show up at sites • No way to ID or credential • Not covered under liability laws • No Incident Command System (ICS) training • Difficult to manage due to lack of standards • The MRC was formed after the President Bush delivered the State of the Union Address in 2002. • The MRC is now housed in the National Office of the Civilian Volunteer MRC (OCVMRC), Department of Health and Human Services (Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response or ASPR).
The MRC is a partner program with the Citizen Corps, and is designed to support community efforts and utilize local medical and health volunteers during emergencies and public health activities. National State Local MRC Units Local MRC Volunteers
• In 2004, the Florida Medical Reserve Corps Network Program was initiated at the Florida Department of Health. • In 2012 the program transitioned from the Office of Public Health Nursing to Bureau of Preparedness and Response.
Mission “To augment local community health and medical services staff with pre-identified, trained and credentialed MRC volunteers.”
• Founded on September 30, 2003 under the City of Orlando Emergency Management • Transitioned to Central Florida MRC in February 2008, under Central FL Disaster Services, Inc. • As of July 1, 2013 the sponsor organization is DOH- Orange. • Central Florida MRC covers 4 counties: Brevard, Orange, Osceola & Seminole • Membership: 147 “accepted” members
• Partnerships: Citizen Corps, American Red Cross (MOU), State Medical Response Team 5, Regional Domestic Security Task Force -Region 5) Health and Medical. • Local activities: Disaster Awareness/Health Fairs, ESF-8 Disaster Exercises, State MRC/Department of Health Exercises, Training with partners, Medical First Aid Tent. • Supported: H1N1 Vaccination Clinics, State Medical Response Team 5-Cocoa Beach Air Show, TICO Airshow, Annual Community Hospital Exercise, Hunters Creek Relay for Life Event, 5K Walks, Community Health Fairs.
• Provide medical care, administer vaccines & dispense medications. • Help staff Special Needs Shelters, and Points of Dispensing. • Provide logistical, administrative & communications support. • Counseling victims, families and responders. • Promote preparedness support public health activities.
• Is an advance registration database allowing the state to quickly identify and utilize volunteer health professional. • Is an online system for managing public health and medical disaster volunteers and staff teams. • It provides users a wide range of methods to send and receive information.
• MRC units may be activated for disaster response for: o local missions: (public health, hurricane, tornado, flood, etc). o State missions: (declared disaster) o Federal missions: (declared disaster (Stafford Act)) • MRC are non-paid regular volunteers for Florida Department of Health: o Florida Statutes Chapter 110: provides approved volunteers workman’s compensation, sovereign immunity, level 2 background check, and required training o Cost of travel and housing paid if deployed under a State Mission Number
• Mission request made by ESF8 at Local or State level ( ALL Missions must be approved by our CHD Director or designee) • Members will be asked about their availability based on type of volunteer needed (SERVFL) o Member is advised of deployment requirements o If able to deploy, mission information and requirements will be provided (vaccinations up to date, state of personal wellness, personal gear needed, equipment to be issued). You will be scheduled for the mission .
• Mission number and other information will be provided. • Travel, lodging and expenses will be covered. (FORMS needed) • NEVER SELF DEPLOY - you will lose membership • No costs , workman’s compensation, sovereign immunity or MRC support is provided in Self Deployment.
• Your skill set will be utilize when needed, but not obligated. • You will have the opportunity to serve the community during times of need. • Training is provided & exercises test skills learned. Some trainings offer free CEUs/CME • Increased communication/information on public health issues • Liability and Workman’s Compensation Coverage • A coordinated “team approach” to support emergency response initiated through the Florida Department of Health
• Chapter 110 Volunteer Application o Provides screened applicant with Sovereign Immunity and Workman’s Compensation while on duty with the unit. – Background check completed at a Level 2 » FDLE and FBI records check (fingerprints) – 2 personal references • Self Reported Disqualifiers o MRC has a duty to protect vulnerable populations, certain minor offenses may disqualify volunteers as decided by the county Health Department Human Resources Department
1. Register at www.servfl.com and complete the FL MRC Contact Form 2. The local MRC Unit Coordinator will contact you with additional information . 3. Complete the Chapter 110 paperwork. 4. Complete the required Florida MRC Volunteer Training • IS/ICS 100 and 700 • MRC Core Competencies Matrix/Training • Orientation • Any other training courses or paperwork that is required by your Local MRC Unit.
EVENTS Air Shows: • Cocoa Beach • TICO Exercises: • Annual Community Exercise • Community Reception Center Community Events: • 5K Walk • Relay for Life Play ¡Video ¡
Elizabeth (Liz) Vazquez Central Florida MRC Coordinator 8026 Sunport Drive, Suite 311 Orlando, FL 32809 (407) 858-1400 ext 2309
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