Medical Reserve Corps and Radiation Response

Captain Narayan Nair, MDOffice of the Civilian Volunteer Medical

Reserve CorpsOffice of the Surgeon General

Overview

Upon conclusion to this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Discuss trends in volunteerism • Discuss the concept of the MRC program • Understand ways the MRC may contribute

radiation emergency preparedness• Understand ways radiation professionals may

engage the MRC

Volunteerism

• ~ 61.8 million Americans (26.4% of the U.S. population) volunteered through an organization in 2008

• > 8 billion hours of service in 2008– worth an estimated $162 billion

Source: Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)

Beware of SUVs

Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers

A Brief History• Following 9-11 attacks– Thousands of unaffiliated

volunteers show up at sites• No way to ID or credential• Not covered under liability

laws• No Incident Command

System (ICS) training• Difficult to manage

MRC “At A Glance”• National network

• Mission: Engage volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response and community resiliency

• Key Points:

– Organize/utilize locally – Affiliate/integrate with existing programs and resources – Volunteer management -- identify, screen/verify

credentials, train

MRC Models• Community-based = No “typical” MRC• All MRC units:

– Provide an organization structure for utilizing members– Pre-identify members– Verify professional licensure/certification– Train/prepare

• Units vary by:– Housing organizations– Partner organizations– Types/number of volunteers– Local mission/activities

Why Not One Model?

• Local leaders determine the model that best fits their community needs– Population– Geography– Community government structure– Health needs

• Differing laws and local government structure – one “size” does not fit all

Housing Organizations

MRC Volunteers

• Medical and public health professionals – in training– active practice– inactive– retired

• Other interested individuals – can help with communications, administration,

planning, logistics, etc…

MRC Volunteers

MRC Activities

• FY 2010 - 9,524 activities1,063 administrative2,831 public health1,528 preparedness2,264 training 1,838 emergency response

• FYO9 – 6,468 activities • FY08 – 5,346 activities• FY07 – 2,832 activities

Support Existing Public Health

Resources

Support Existing Emergency Resources

9/11 EventHHS Secretary

Kathleen Sebelius receives her seasonal

flu shot from an Alexandria MRC

volunteer

Potential role for MRC in Radiological Response

• Set up Alternate Care facilities• Assist with Shelter Operations• Staff SNS/PODs• Help address behavioral health issues• Population Monitoring• Educating the Community

MRC Units with a focus on Radiological Response

• Florida Radiation Response Volunteer Corps

• MRC GEM• Mississippi Radiological

Volunteer Professionals

How can Radiation Professionals Engage a local MRC?

• Contact the volunteer administrator to learn what roles have already been identified for volunteers

• Volunteer count by type is available on the unit profile

• Work with the local unit to determine what their role should be in a radiation response

• Discuss what additional types of volunteers would be needed, what training would be needed/could be provided

Finding MRC Units

http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov

Finding MRC Units

Finding MRC Units

Bridging the Gap and Making the Connection

• Educating MRC Units about Radiation Response and Population Monitoring

• Educating professionals about the MRC

• Providing specific training to MRC volunteers

• Identifying and mitigating challenges/barriers

For More Information

• OCVMRC– MRCcontact@hhs.gov – (301) 443-4951

• MRC website– http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov

• MRC Regional Coordinators– http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/Coordinators/Regional

• MRC State Coordinators– http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/Coordinators/State

• Contact existing MRC units

Contact Information

Narayan Nair, MDCAPT, USPHS

Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve CorpsOffice of the Surgeon General

Room 18C-14, Parklawn Building 5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, MD 20857(301) 443-2132

narayan.nair@hhs.gov

http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov