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 Home > MRC Spotlights > Volunteer Spotlight - Spring 2008
What is the focus of the MRC Unit? The Southeast Wisconsin MRC is an affiliate of the Southeast Wisconsin Citizens and Organizations Active in Disaster, Inc (formerly the Greater Milwaukee Citizen Corps Council). The Southeast Wisconsin MRC is forming mutually supportive collaborative relationships with the Regional Public Health Consortium and the Regional Hospital Consortium. The goal is to support these organizations' mass clinics and emergency response efforts. The MRC is also affiliated with the Wisconsin Emergency Assistance Volunteer Registry (WEAVR), a database of health care professionals with an interest in assisting in a medical emergency. The Southeast Wisconsin MRC covers eight counties in Southeast Wisconsin that includes Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties. Volunteer Background Info: Pat Adams currently works for the U.S. Postal Service. Ms. Adams is also a non practicing nurse. She is certified as a surgical technician, an x-ray technician, an emergency room technician, and a cardiac technician. She has bachelor's degrees in biology, geography, athletic training, and emergency management. Ms. Adams also has master's degrees in anatomy, fisheries biology, and marine biology. What is the volunteer's role within the MRC? Pat Adams is the Southeast Wisconsin MRC Training Officer and the Racine County Coordinator. She also incorporates volunteers from Kenosha County into her unit until a county coordinator can be found. What did the volunteer do to be in the spotlight? The MRC Coordinator, Linda Botts, describes Pat Adams as a huge asset to the Southeast Wisconsin MRC. She states that, "In addition to her duties as training officer, Pat is a tireless promoter of the MRC and is always on the lookout for new opportunities for the unit to take part in. She is enthusiastic and is always willing to help out with many different things, from paperwork to coordinating events. We are fortunate to have her as a volunteer!" How long as the volunteer been with the MRC? Pat Adams has been with the Southeast Wisconsin MRC for two years. What prompted the volunteer to join the MRC? Pat Adams took a CERT training course as a way to be prepared for an emergency, and the Southeast Wisconsin MRC Coordinator was the instructor. After hearing about the Southeast Wisconsin MRC, Ms. Adams thought that it would be a great way to use her training and put it to use. What are some activities that the volunteer has participated in? As the Racine County Coordinator, Pat Adams is responsible for including an article for Racine County in the Southeast Wisconsin MRC newsletter. She holds a monthly meeting that is followed by a one hour training session. Ms. Adams also participates in monthly refreshers between the CERT and the MRC that are functional exercises in order to keep volunteers interested. In her role as the Southeast Wisconsin MRC Training Officer, Pat Adams conducts monthly training classes on the Southeast Wisconsin MRC core curriculum that includes POD training and ERG training. Because Pat Adams is also a WMD instructor, she has contacts with local first responders. As a result, when first responders train in the Milwaukee area the Southeast Wisconsin MRC has a standing invitation to participate. For instance, a fire chief is doing a school shooting exercise in August 2008 and the Southeast Wisconsin MRC will participate. Ms. Adams has also participated in training with the local dive rescue team in May. She has also made contact with the FBI weapons of mass destruction department for the MRC to participate in a white powder exercise. In addition, Pat Adams is involved in public health and response activities with the Southeast Wisconsin MRC. She plans to participate in a mass immunization clinic with the local health department in July 2008. Pat Adams has a lot of ties to her community which has allowed her to help to recruit volunteers for the Southeast Wisconsin MRC. She is a committee chair with the Vietnam Veterans Chapter. Because of her recruitment work for the chapter, she is also able to recruit for the MRC. Additionally, Ms. Adams is connected to the hospital due to her previous work there, and she talks to her former co-workers that are retiring about joining the MRC. She also writes articles for the City Paper to promote the MRC and recruit volunteers. Her articles highlight the non-medical role that volunteers play with the MRC. Interesting facts about the volunteer! Pat Adams has three wonderful sons, two great daughters-in-law, and nine amazing grandchildren. Ms. Adams teaches a sustainability course and is working with the Keystone Organization on a global disaster curriculum that will be offered in junior high and high schools. The curriculum will cover All Hazards Disaster and Preparation and will be piloted next spring. Last Updated on 6/25/2008 |
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