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 Home > MRC Spotlights > Volunteer Spotlight - Summer 2008
What is the focus of the MRC unit? The primary focus of the Region IV MRC (SW Washington) is to provide medical surge capacity in the four counties of southwest Washington allowing medical and non-medical volunteers to contribute their skills and expertise during public health emergencies. A secondary focus has been to provide awareness of emergency preparedness to residents of the unit's counties. Volunteer's Background: Debbie Everts has a degree in Human Development from Washington State University's Vancouver campus. She is currently an AmeriCorps Vista member with Human Services Council/Volunteer Connections. She is involved in the recruitment, training, and deployment of volunteers that want to help support the community in a disaster. Through Ms. Everts work with Volunteer Connections she has started a Volunteer Mobilization Center in the community that partners with the local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and other agencies involved in emergency management. When and why did the volunteer join the MRC? Debbie Everts has been an MRC volunteer since August 2007. She commented that she has always been interested in emergency preparedness. Ms. Everts began working in the field by volunteering in her children's school emergency preparedness program. She later attended a Senior Expo Fair and met her community's Vulnerable Populations Coordinator. It was through her work with Vulnerable Populations that she learned about becoming an MRC volunteer. She viewed it as a way to be more active in the area of emergency preparedness in the community. Why was the volunteer selected for the spotlight? Debbie Everts has devoted many hours to help the Region IV MRC (SW Washington). She has supported the MRC by performing administrative tasks, promoting the MRC throughout the community, and participating in other MRC activities. She is also very active and devoted to supporting emergency preparedness in the community through her work as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. What MRC activities has the MRC volunteer been involved? Debbie Everts has volunteered at exercises and trainings with the Region IV MRC (SW Washington). She recently assisted with a POD exercise organizing materials such as go kits. She is also helping to establish volunteer training involving Psychological First Aid, Incident Command 100, and Incident Command 700. Ms. Everts also assists with outreach and recruitment. She has staffed outreach booths about the MRC at community events and recruits a variety of volunteers for the Region IV MRC (SW Washington). Debbie Everts is also a member of the unit's Volunteer Leadership Work Group. The group includes other volunteers and the MRC Coordinator. The goal of the work group is to transition the Region IV MRC (SW Washington) so that it can be led and managed by volunteers. Interesting facts about the volunteer! Debbie Everts states that she loves working with people and helping them to find ways to make their lives better. She also enjoys craft work, such as beading. Ms. Everts also delights in the cooperation of emergency preparedness programs in the community to share resources and support each other stating that, "Their unity builds a stronger community." Last Updated on 4/23/2009 |
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