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Region III Newsletter - Summer 2006

In this issue:

• New Region III Units
• Pennsylvania Volunteers Recognized
• Federal Registry Notice
• Upcoming Events
• Hurricane Season
• Sunny Days
• National Health Observances
• Pandemic Flu Planning Guidance for MRC Units
• We Want To Hear From You

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New Region III Units

The MRC continues to grow. We currently have more than 450 units and approximately 80,000 volunteers nationwide! Region III currently has 51 units with more than 15,400 volunteers. Since our last newsletter, three new units have joined us. Please welcome the following:

Monongalia County MRC 74 Vandervort Drive Morgantown, WV 26505 Judy Hiergeist (304) 598-0301

Mineral County MRC Route 3, Box 3045 Keyser, WV 26726 Cynthia Whitt (304) 788-1321

Peninsula MRC 416 J Clyde Morris Boulevard Newport News, VA 23601 Jennifer Freeland (757) 594-8045

Pennsylvania Volunteers Recognized

Governor Edward G. Rendell joined state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson and members of the General Assembly at a press conference on April 24, 2006, to honor more than 250 EMS personnel for their response efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Listed below are the MRC volunteers affiliated with Southern Alleghenies Regional EMS Council. All of them received recognition for their response efforts to Hurricane Katrina:

Wendy Belinda	Phyllis Gresky	John Peoples	Cindy Pribozie
Wanda Doran	Christine Henderson	Ruth Simpson	Donnaleigh Siko
John Dunkle	Jane Hillenbrand	Nancy Szwydek	Stephanie Heming
Martha Furman	Cathy Moser	Ann Poole	Patricia Magley

Thank you for your commitment and dedication.

Interested in helping out libraries on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Visit the Dewey Donation System Web site.

Federal Registry Notice

The Office of the Surgeon General/MRC Program Office released a Federal Register Notice (Adobe PDF [71 KB]) regarding a cooperative agreement with the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to:

• Enhance the capacity of MRC units throughout the nation to meet identified local needs for public health and safety
   
• Increase awareness and understanding of the MRC
   
• Enhance cooperation between OSG and local/state/national authorities to support and increase MRC capacity
   
• Demonstrate the feasibility of the Public Health Service Auxiliary concept in meeting surge personnel needs during national-level responses

Upcoming Events

• July 10–11: WV VOAD; Charleston, WV
• July 19: DC Pandemic Flu Simulation; Washington, DC
• July 26: Disaster Volunteer Day; Hampton Roads, VA
  • For more information, contact Jennifer Freeland at (757) 594-8045 or Jennifer.Freeland@vdh.virginia.gov
• October 26–27: National Prevention Summit
  • For more information, download the National Prevention Summit flyer (Adobe PDF [127 KB])

Hurricane Season

As I am sure everyone is already aware, Hurricane Season began June 1. Below are some tips that you can share with your volunteers:

• Visit the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center Web site
• Sign up for e-mail updates at Hurricane Watch Net

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site has specific information to assist with the preparation of a natural disaster such as a hurricane/tornado. See information on natural disasters and severe weather.

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Sunny Days

The summer rays bring consistent exposure to heat. While you are indulging in the summer pleasures, please follow these suggestions to avoid getting sick:

The best defense is prevention. Some prevention tips are to:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him/her how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
   
• Do not drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar—these cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
   
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
   
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
   
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
   
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
   
• Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
  
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, particularly with heart disease or high blood pressure
     
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them closely for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need much more frequent watching.

National Health Observances

• July is UV Safety Month.
• August is National Immunization Month.
• September is National Preparedness Month.
• September 19 is Take a Loved One to for a Check-up Day.

Pandemic Flu Planning Guidance for MRC Units

The Pandemic Influenza Planning Guidance for MRC Units identifies specific activities MRC units can do now to prepare for such an event. It provides a broad range of pandemic influenza planning and response actions that can be adapted and used by MRC units nationwide.

This guidance will help MRC units determine pandemic influenza planning and response actions that are in the purview, scope, training, and capabilities of the units and the communities which they serve.

Some of the topics discussed in the guidance are:

• MRC involvement in pandemic influenza emergency response exercises
• MRC support for vaccine distribution and use
• MRC support to public health and the medical infrastructure
• Planning for the impact of pandemic influenza on the MRC unit

In addition, the guidance is available on the PandemicFlu.gov Web site.

We Want To Hear From You

The information obtained from your MRC unit is essential. Please send me your best practices, special events that will be taking place in your unit, and any other highlights you would like to be displayed in the quarterly newsletter.

In addition, please update your unit profile. The MRC Program Office suggests that you update your information quarterly. This will convey the most up-to-date information for potential volunteers who may be interested in joining the MRC.

Please feel free to contact me:

Carla Holder, M.P.H.
Regional Coordinator, Region III
(DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)
The Public Ledger Building
150 South Independence Mall West, Suite 436
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Office: (215) 861-4624

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Last Updated on 8/11/2006