Volunteers sought for Madison County Medical Reserve Corps
The Madison County Health Department is offering residents an opportunity to get involved by becoming a volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
The idea of the MRC is that when emergencies happen, preparing for the public health consequences of disasters in advance leads to enhanced resiliency in the days, weeks and months afterward. The Madison County Health Department takes its responsibility to protect local citizens seriously, especially during a disaster affecting the public’s health, but we health department officials recognize they cannot do it alone. So, the Madison County Health Department continues to build its MRC unit.
“While we are so very grateful and want to thank our existing volunteers, we must, also, continue to recruit additional volunteers in order to be able to serve our entire county during a public health disaster,” said Debra Tscheschlok, public health emergency response coordinator and MRC unit leader.
There is an opportunity for everyone to help. No medical experience necessary. People 18 years of age and older with a variety of backgrounds and interests to join the Madison County MRC to help in the event of a public health emergency in Madison County.
On Monday, April 11, the department will be hosting a volunteer orientation training for those who are interested.
Madison County MRC is now part of the Gateway Volunteer Network (GVN) in the bi-state area (Missouri and Illinois). It is a collaborative effort to bring people volunteering for public health emergencies together into one group to increase communication and build a stronger network of volunteers to increase our ability to respond in emergencies. Visit www.facebook.com/gatewayvolunteernetwork for more information and click on the “Learn More Save Lives” tab to sign up for information about volunteer opportunities in your community.
Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Orientation Training
Madison County Health Department will be holding Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer orientation training. Volunteers will learn about the MRC, Public Health 101, Incident Command System, Strategic National Stockpile and Family Preparedness.
When: Monday, April 11, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Madison County Health Department, 101 E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River
Registration Required: To attend the April 11 volunteer orientation training, contact Cathy Paone, Madison County MRC volunteer coordinator, at (618) 296-6096 or cmpaone@co.madison.il.us. Advanced registration is required to attend the training. Seating is limited. The registration deadline is Monday, April 4.
This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 8:08 AM with the headline "Volunteers sought for Madison County Medical Reserve Corps."