Medical Reserve Corps Needs Volunteers

[indigo girl]

http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_253072202.html]

About 500 volunteers would be needed to help set up and run emergency vaccination clinics if Madison County experienced a large outbreak of an infectious disease.

To help prepare for any potential pandemic, the Madison County Health Department is seeking volunteers for a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit.

Last year, 25 people were trained for the unit, about half of which were nurses with the rest being other citizens interested in helping, said Carol Gilliam, preparedness coordinator and team leader for the Madison County Health Department.

"With extra nursing hands, regular staff could be stretched further with relief and assistance being provided by volunteers. We don't anticipate these volunteers working in hospitals, but to help public health with meeting community health needs."

An orientation for the MRC will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, as part of National Preparedness Month. The class will be repeated from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Both sessions will be at the Madison County Health Department, 216 Boggs Lane, Richmond. A complimentary meal will be provided and the training is approved for 3.2 hours of continuing education credit for nurses. Taking the training does not obligate anyone to volunteer.