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Crime & Safety

Be Prepared: It's the Motto of the Dakota County Medical Reserve Corps

The Public Health Department seeks county-wide volunteers who would be ready to help at a moment's notice.

With a nursing background of 30 years, Sheila Ambrose was initially attracted to volunteering for the Dakota County Medical Reserve Corps because she understands the importance of being prepared for an emergency.

"There is such a need to have a program like this," said Ambrose, who lives in Inver Grove Heights. "If there aren't people ready to respond immediately to a situation, that can cause problems."

Ambrose has participated in trainings, both online and in-person, for the Medical Reserve Corps.  At an H1N1 clinic in West St. Paul in 2009, she was responsible for interviewing individuals who arrived for their shots to first determine if there was a medical condition or concern that needed to be addressed by a member of the onsite medical team.

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"The training we've received has been fairly extensive. I've been impressed by how the program covers so many different areas, such as what volunteers should do if they are responding to an emergency site," she said. "Things like how to identify the chain of command, how to find answers to questions if you need them."

Dori Makundi, Medical Reserve Corps coordinator for Dakota County, said the Public Health Department is looking to add more volunteers like Ambrose to their database in case a local emergency should arise.

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"In terms of preparedness, we want to be sure we know what resources are available and who we can call on right away if we need manpower," said Makundi.

While volunteers with medical backgrounds are welcome, many of the volunteers needed would be asked  to help manage logistical situations such as line management at a public health clinic (similar to the H1N1 clinics where Ambrose worked), bringing supplies to members of the medical team onsite or registration assistance.

"These volunteers would provide much needed support," said Makundi. "This gives the medical professionals the opportunity to do what they need to do."

"There is really a need for people of all skill levels," said Ambrose. "Everything from being able to move a box to answering phones. You don't have to be a medical professional. There are all sorts of ways people can help."

The Medical Reserve Corps is a federal program that was created after September 11, 2011.

"There were so many people who just showed up at the disaster sites to help and the first responders had no way to handle the volunteers. They didn't have any information on their backgrounds or abilities," said Makundi. "The lesson learned was that people really want to help when something happens, but there had to be a way to make the process more efficient and effective for everyone."

For now, the Dakota County Public Health Department is asking interested volunteers ages 18 and older to visit www.mnresponds.org  to learn more about the program.  No special skills are required to participate—"only an interest in helping out," said Makundi.

Once a volunteer has determined whether this seems like a good fit,  they are asked to send an e-mail to mrc@co.dakota.mn.us.

"One of our staff members will call them and walk them through the process," said Makundi. "We offer an online orientation option that features a video about the Medical Reserve Corps program."

Some of the volunteer training is also done online; Ambrose said that's especially convenient since the volunteer can work through the specific topic at his or her own pace.

In addition to the initial training, volunteers can also participate in quarterly sessions covering a variety of medical topics such as  mass dispensing of medication, infectious diseases and psychlogical first aid.

"For volunteers who do work in the medical profession, this is a nice benefit because it is an option to get continuing education credits that we need without having to pay for them," said Ambrose.

Once a mandatory background check has also been completed, Reserve Corps members are given ID badges. In the event of an emergency, volunteers are instructed to await notification from the Public Health Department before proceeding to the site.

"That's why it is so important for us to be able to compile a database. We know exactly who to contact, either via targeted messages or block messages about the need for staffing," said Makundi. "It's a way for us to be prepared ahead of time."

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