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Unit Spotlight - Fall 2006

Unit Name:	Peninsula MRC
Contact Information:	416 J Clyde Morris Boulevard Newport News, VA 23601
Point of Contact:	Jennifer Freeland
Phone:	(757) 594-8045
E-mail:	jennifer.freeland@vdh.virginia.gov

When was the Unit Founded?

The Peninsula MRC was founded in October 2004.

What Drives the Unit?

The Peninsula MRC’s mission is to augment and assist community operations during large-scale emergencies, assist with the response to pressing healthcare needs, and improve community emergency preparedness.

How Many Volunteers Does the Unit Have?

The Peninsula MRC has 502 volunteers including healthcare and support volunteers.

How Large is the Unit’s Staff?

The Peninsula MRC has a part-time Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator.

Why was the Unit Selected?

The Peninsula MRC is tremendously involved in the community. The unit recently held a Disaster Volunteer Day in which numerous community stakeholders participated. The unit has created a strong training component for its volunteers. In addition, the MRC Coordinator, Jennifer Freeland, is always willing to share information with other units.

What are Some of the Unit’s Activities?

The Peninsula MRC holds orientation at least once a month on subjects such as IS 700, disaster, terrorism, and pandemic influenza.

Date	Activity
November 18, 2006	The Peninsula MRC participated in the National Kidney Foundation, Kidney Early Evaluation Screening. MRC medical and support volunteers staffed a free clinic to provide medical screening for community members potentially at risk for kidney disease in Hampton Roads.
October 2006	MRC medical and support volunteers provided free support for the Three Rivers Health District Flu Vaccination Clinics.
October 6–16, 2006	MRC volunteers assisted with preparations for mass flu clinic vaccinations by staffing the phone bank and assembling materials. On October 17th and 19th, MRC medical and support volunteers staffed mass flu vaccination clinics in which more than 900 community members were served.
October 6, 2006	The Peninsula MRC participated in “Community Dental Days,” where MRC volunteers provided support for free dental care during a 2-day event in which more than 300 people received care.
September 30, 2006	Peninsula MRC volunteers attended the Poquoson Community Wellness Fair to promote the MRC and Public Health Emergency Preparedness.
August 26, 2006	The Peninsula MRC also participated in a Disaster Volunteer Day, which was coordinated by the unit and sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health and the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program. More than 150 volunteers from the Peninsula MRC, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Salvation Army, Hampton Roads American Red Cross, local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) organizations, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Ham operators, Volunteers in Police Service, Neighborhood Watch, and the Peninsula and Virginia Beach FPCS attended.

What are Some of the Unit’s Accomplishments?

Disaster Volunteer Day was the first time the unit had volunteers from a wide range of partner disaster volunteer organizations share information, learn, and network together from a regional perspective.

In 9 months, the Peninsula MRC has quickly recruited, trained, and educated more than 500 volunteers. The unit’s success in recruitment can partly be attributed to its volunteers actively supporting the unit and helping it to grow. Various types of MRC volunteers mailed 6,000 recruitment volunteer letters. In addition, volunteers self-recruit by reaching out to friends, family, and co-workers. MRC Coordinator Jennifer Freeland stated, “It’s important for volunteers to be vested in the program and also have ownership in it.” Therefore, the Peninsula MRC avoids any lulls by having two to three activities each month.

Interesting Facts About the Unit

Peninsula MRC volunteers are teaching fellow CERT and MRC volunteers CPR.
A group of volunteers consisting of 16 veterinarians are assisting with the planning, outreach, and assessment of the unit’s ability to respond to community needs for pets in a disaster by conducting disaster volunteer response training.
The Peninsula MRC has 29 sets of husband/wife volunteers.
The Peninsula MRC has a monthly newsletter called the MRC Connection.

Last Updated on 3/13/2008