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 Home > Regional MRC Coordinators > Elizabeth H. Fitch > Region IV Newsletters > Region IV MRC Update - September 2006
In this issue:
Welcome New MRC UnitsPlease welcome our newest units:
Remembering September 11thThis September 11 marks the 5th anniversary of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on the United States. Acting Regional Health Administrator Captain Clara H. Cobb says of the anniversary, “While it is sobering to recall this anniversary, it is also important to reflect upon the tremendous outpouring of concern and how it has changed the face of volunteerism in this country. The concept of organized Medical Reserve Corps units arose from this event, and these units are now a vital reality. I am proud of this program, and particularly proud of how it has grown in Region Four.” Understanding Emergency Support FunctionsAlthough MRC units are housed in various different agencies and organizations, in general, they can be categorized by their roles, both during emergencies and in their day-to-day work in their communities. When looking at the MRC unit’s role in the community during an emergency, it can be helpful to consider how this role fits in the bigger picture of the local and state Emergency Operations Plans. Generally, most MRC units’ roles fall in the Emergency Support Function (ESF) that covers Health and Medical activities, which is ESF-8. Which activities fall under ESF-8? According to the National Response Plan, the following activities are included:
Some MRCs also support agencies that function under ESF-6 (Mass Care, Housing and Human Services). Some states also have an ESF that covers donations management, which would include the management of donations warehouses. What does this mean for an MRC unit? This underlines the importance of identifying the roles your MRC will play and developing relationships and partnerships with the agencies that will be involved in response. It also will be important to work closely with the ESF-8 lead agency in your local area and state. For more information on the National Response Plan and Emergency Support Functions, see the Emergencies and Disasters page of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Web site. For more information on identifying your unit’s role(s) in emergency response, see the Technical Assistance Series document on Establishing and Maintaining Your MRC Unit’s Organization on the MRC Web site. Do you want to know more about what is happening with ESF-8 in Region IV? Join the Region IV Health and Medical Listserv. National Preparedness MonthReminder: September is National Preparedness MonthWhat can your MRC unit and its partners do to enhance the culture of preparedness in your community? Visit Ready.gov and the Extension Disaster Education Network for more information. Upcoming Events of Interest
Helpful Online ResourcesJust a reminder: There is a collection of Web sites available that may be useful to MRC unit coordinators. The easiest way to look at these links is by topic—if you go to the archive page, click on the drop-down box next to “filter by topic” (at the top of the page) and you will see the topics available. Pick a topic, such as Risk Management/Liability, click the “search” button, and you will see the Web resources I have collected under that topic, along with a brief clipping from the page and possibly a note from me about the link. Recent additions include: Columbia University Center for Health Policy – Emergency Preparedness Page, MRC Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide, National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care Program and The Public Health Preparedness Summit. Happy Surfing! Upcoming Health ObservancesSeptember is National Preparedness Month
New MRC Program Office Staff MemberPlease welcome Lieutenant Andrea Brooks to the MRC Program Office. LT Brooks has a Masters Degree in Public Health from Jackson State University in Mississippi. She comes to the MRC Program from the HHS Emerging Leaders Program and has served in the Army Reserves. MRC Unit NamesAlthough “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” the name of an MRC unit can change how others perceive it. Particularly when recruiting potential volunteers, it is important that the MRC unit’s name reflect the area it covers so that potential volunteers can identify that this is an opportunity in that area. Names such as “Region Six MRC” may accurately describe an MRC’s role in terms of the partner agencies’ jurisdictions, but remember that the average volunteer does not know which emergency management or public health region he or she is in. Choose a name that is short enough to be memorable, but that gives an understanding of the area included. Also, ensure to check the units around you to verify that your names are not too similar to one another. The unit’s name can be changed on the MRC Web site by the Unit Coordinator or Director by logging in and choosing “Edit MRC Unit” from the left menu options. Regional Coordinator Contact Information
Last Updated on 9/1/2006 |
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