Bioterrorism/Disaster Volunteers?

sjoe · Sep 29, 2002

The NRA.

Why? They'll be the ones with the guns.

prn nurse · Sep 29, 2002

LOL NRA

A couple of weeks ago, they put up a paper for the regular nurses (employees) of the hospital that asked?? ""How long would it take for you to arrive at the hospital in the event of a threat? crisis? etc.?" It did NOT ask "would you come in?"

And the nurses were compelled to sign up & sign on.

I think this is a good time to go to the library and read those books about how the English and others coped with being bombed during WWII.

Since we have not had the experience, and the events would be different, .......... my 1st response would be to run to Canada or Mexico....Mexico is 20 minutes away.......Guadalahara &/or southern Baja certainly sound wonderful.

I knew a millionaire who spent WWII in Quito , Ecuador. He said it was wonderful. No t.v. , No CNN, etc. He said they spent WWII "entertaining, " traveling South America, and only came back to the States in 1953....

Sounds like a wonderful way to live thru a war.

whipping girl in 07, RN · Sep 30, 2002

My mom is an LPN in Arkansas and she got a letter in the mail a couple of months ago asking her what her area of specialty, skills, certifications, etc. were. They were compiling a list of nurses to call upon in case of terrorist/bioterrorism attack. Anyone else know of something similar?

nursenoelle · Oct 3, 2002

The Arkansas Dept of Health sent those forms to Konni mentioned to all active nurses. cool idea. sent mine in.

stressedlpn · Oct 16, 2002

sent mine in also

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 16, 2002

Sleepyeyes:

Haven't seen/heard anything on it yet in this area (but then we're always kinda "slow" in getting with the program in "these here parts"..) :rolleyes: but I have a question...

Are you saying there are certain "groups" or various different options available as far as signing up and availablity? Would like more info if it's out there... :confused:

Thanx!

Sleepyeyes · Oct 16, 2002

I read this article and this is what made me start the thread. I wasn't aware that, as a nurse, you couldn't just "show up and volunteer" at a disaster scene. You can take the disaster training course through the Red Cross in your area; for other things, you have to have other specialized training:

http://www.nursingworld.org/news/disaster/

As the nation copes with anthrax scares and concerns over future bioterrorist attacks, many nurses and other health care professionals have been forced to quickly learn about treating victims of bioterrorism, as well as to re-think their hospital and community disaster plans. ANA wants to ensure that registered nurses (RNs) will be able to respond effectively to these new types of emergencies and is working on several fronts to achieve this goal.

This website is geared toward providing RNs with valuable information on how they can better care for their patients, protect themselves and prepare their hospitals and communities to respond to acts of bioterrorism. Links to articles and organizations that have made major contributions on the subject of bioterrorism are provided. Additionally, RNs can learn what ANA is doing on the bioterrorism front including board actions, collaborations with other organizations, articles and more.

Sleepyeyes · Oct 16, 2002

Additionally, you might find this helpful:

http://www.citizencorps.gov/medical.html

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will coordinate the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professionals who are eager to volunteer during emergency situations.

The Medical Reserve Corps will provide communities with medical volunteers who can assist health professionals during large-scale local emergency. Local community officials will develop their own Medical Reserve Corps and identify the duties of the MRC volunteers according to specific community needs.

For example, MRC volunteers may deliver necessary public health services during a crisis, assist emergency response teams with patients, and provide care directly to those with less serious injuries and other health-related issues. MRC volunteers may also serve a vital role by assisting their communities with ongoing public health needs (e.g., immunizations, health and nutrition education, and volunteering in community health centers and local hospitals).

Once established, how the local MRC unit is utilized will be decided locally. The MRC unit will make decisions, with local officials, Citizen Corps Council, etc., on activating the community Medical Reserve Corps during a local emergency.

Medical Reserve Corps is coming soon.

Volunteer now!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 16, 2002

Thanx Sleepyeyes !

I learn new stuff here every day ! :)