Volunteer Nurses Needed for Hurricane Emergency!

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Sep 4, 2005

And this gleaned from a mail list...

Although not all of these items would be required, its a good place to start...Most of us are not going to have or need many of these items. I would add sunscreen to the list.

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Adapted from Emergency Planning and Response Force and AIH 3-Sep-05

1. Everyone needs to remember key principles before deploying into a disaster area:

a) Deploy as part of a coordinated response effort either as part of a Federally Declaration by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state emergency management office, or as a consultant contracted to do response and/or consequence management work;

b) Have an identified mission, assigned location, and point of contact at the site;

c) Be prepared for self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours upon arrival to the site;

d) Be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to handle long work hours with little sleep, have irregular and unhealthy meals, and the need to confront victims and exhausted responders at a site.

2. Personal Items Recommended:

Item(s) Minimum Quantity Special Notes

Undergarments For 2 week Deployment

Undershirts For 2 week Deployment

Agency Uniform As Needed Have enough for 2 weeks

Female Toiletries As Needed Females Only

Running Shoes/Sneakers 1 Pair

Socks For 2 week Deployment

Personal Toiletry Bag 1 Each Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Dental Floss, 1 Roll Toilet Paper, Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, Small Wash Cloth, Skin Cream, Alcohol Wipes or sanitizer pocket size

Windbreaker/Light Jacket 1-2 Pairs Can be Agency Uniform

Civilian Casual Shirts/T-Shirt 5 Pairs

Civilian Casual Pants 2 Pairs

Ball cap 2 Pairs Can be part of Agency Uniform

Extra Prescription Glasses 1 Pair

Prescriptions/OTC meds you use (ASA,lomotil,etc) For 2 week Deployment Expect No Resupply during Deployment

Bath Towel 2 Pairs

Shower Shoes 1 Pair

Business Casual Shirt 2 Pairs Depends on Agency Situation

Business Casual Pants 2 Pairs Depends on Agency Situation

Business Casual Shoes/Socks 1 Pair Each Depends on Agency Situation

3. Personal Items Recommended:

Item(s) Minimum Quantity Special Notes

Personal Reading Materials 3 Each

Portable Radio/CD Player 1 Each Bring only a reasonable number of CDs

Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 15 minimum) 1 Bottle

Cash/Credit Card As Needed Recommend $100.00 Cash; and 2 credit cards; Wear with wallet secured inside pants or around the neck.

Small Pocket Knife/Utility 1 Pair

Insect Repellant (DEET) 2 Bottles

Permanone 2 Bottles For Clothing to Spray Against Insects; Not for skin - Will get irritation

Large Luggage with Rollers or Military Sea/Duffle Bag 1 Each Goal is to fit all Personal Items into 1 Large Bag.

4. Health and Safety Equipment.

Item(s) Minimum Quantity Special Notes

Hardhat 1 Each

Safety Boots/Shoes 1 Pair

Flashlight 2 Each Bring extra batteries

Rain Gear 1 Pair

Rubber Boots or Boot Covers 1 Pair

Hearing Protection 1 Pair Ear Muffs AND 3 Pairs Ear Plugs Recommend carrying both.

Safety Glasses 2 Pairs

Chemical Goggles 1 Pair

N-95 Disposable Respirator and/or Assigned Half-or Full-Face 5 Pairs (Disposable) 1 Pair (if Half or Full-Face) Bring extra cartridgesm Ensure Respirators are Properly Stored

Bring alcohol wipes for cleaning

Leather Work Gloves 2 Pairs

Chemical Protective Gloves 1 Box (Disposable) Nitrile most common, but avoid handling hazardous materials without knowing gloves effectiveness against them.

Meals Ready to Eat or Commercial Equivalent For 72 Hour Period

Drinking Water Container (e.g., Camelback) 1 Each (32 ounce minimum) Fill with potable water from approved sites, or use bottled water.

First Aid Kit 1 Each

Sleeping Bag 1 Each If not staying in hotel or sleeping quarters unknown

Sleeping Pad 1 Each If not staying in hotel or sleeping quarters unknown

Iodine Tablets 2 Bottles If drinking unapproved water source

Military Ruck Sack or Commercial Backpack 1 Each Health and Safety Equipment Listed should be Carried with You when Doing Field Work.

5. Safety/Health Professional Items.

Item(s) Minimum Quantity Special Notes

Laptop 1 Each Bring spare batteries, AC Cord, Telephone Cord

Flash Memory (256 MB Minimum) 1 Each Have critical reference files stored in it for immediate use.

Field Notebook 2 Each

Scientific Calculator 1 Each

Pens 3 Each

Pencil 3 Each

Permanent Markers 1 Box

Contact Phone Numbers As Appropriate Agency Contacts; Family/Friend Contacts

Digital Camera (4 MegaPixels Minimum) 1 Each

Have rechargeable battery unit, or extra disposable batteries; Have download unit into laptop

CD-Rewritable (RW) Disks (700 MB Each) 3 Each Avoid CD-R disks, which cannot be rewritten over.

Carry Case, Large 1 Each

Cell Phone or 2-Way Radios 1 Each Cell Phone may not work at site.

6. Medical Requirements.

Item(s) Minimum Quantity Special Notes

MMR Immunization

Td UTD 1 with Booster

Hepatitis A 3-shot Series

PPD Skin Test for TB 1 per Year Test If Positive & Received Txt, Not Required As indicated by CDC Guidelines

joneeboi · Sep 4, 2005

im a nursing student and i was curious if students were allowed to go and help, if they are can you please send info about it

Volunteer Nurses Needed for Hurricane Emergency!
We hope that you and your family have weathered the hurricane safely! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Many have not been as lucky as we have. The LA-OEP (Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness) is requesting healthcare volunteers. This includes ALL levels of nursing expertise. If you and your family are safe, please volunteer - there is a tremendous need for nurses. Call 225-389-2100 and ask for "Medical". They are expecting your call. If the line is busy, please keep calling.
Please pass this on to anyone you think may be of help. Thank you!
LSNA

yooperRN · Sep 4, 2005

I pm'd nurse/realtor since I am also in Michigan. Here is some information for those that can't do a 3 week commitment with the Red Cross. I called the Mississippi Board of Nursing tonight (601) 944-4840 and they are opening a shelter on Tues in Pascagoula (sp?) and will take whatever time you can give, even a couple days. Please don't forget about Mississippi, they got hit very hard but are not getting the attention or help that Louisiana is getting. Once they know you are serious, they will give you another number to call (they may not be manning the phones until the a.m. since the person I talked to said they are all getting a little punchy from working so long. You will need to be self sufficient and bring you own sleeping bag/pillow, I'm unsure about food, will find out tomorrow, and provide your own transportation, they asked me to find at least 3 or 4 nurses or I could just go alone if that was the best I could do. They don't care about specialties, just warm bodies able to help. I am willing to carpool, I can go for sure this Mon through Sun. Let me know if anyone else wants to carpool, we could meet in other states even.

MissJoRN, RN · Sep 4, 2005

im a nursing student and i was curious if students were allowed to go and help, if they are can you please send info about it

Try the Lousiana and Mississippi numbers posted on this site and ask, I'm sure they can use you in an aide capacity! The florida site http://disasterhelp.net/medical/ has a spot for CNAs to check. It's primarily for FL personnel but anyone may enter their info and should be forwarded as needed. They do need people but don't jeopordize your education for it! You won't miss classes or clinicals??

harry715 · Sep 4, 2005

I work for the VA in VISN 3 (NY metro area) as an ER nurse. We had numerous people volunteer to go to our colleagues' assistance but our director stated that as we are 'under staffed' (who isn't) we would not be going.

They are, however, sending some carpenters, painters and a few VA police.

I am ashamed to be a part of this system....

wapz · Sep 4, 2005

Is this volunteer nurses open only for US residents and not for foreigners?

yooperRN · Sep 4, 2005

Update on my previous post regarding nurses helping in Mississippi. I received a call from the Director of the Mississippi Board of Nurses asking when I could get there, they need people desperately. All you need is your nursing license and ID, again it is primitive and you need to be able to sustain yourself, including bringing your own food (just in case), sleeping bag and anything else you will need for the time you are there. They are accepting RN's LPN's and even CNA's. They are also accepting support staff to help set up and maintain the shelter. There may or may not be electricity. They are asking people to try to get groups together so they can better staff there shelters, the one I will be going to is in Pascagoula (coastal town wiped out). I will be leaving either tomorrow afternoon or Tues evening (depending on if I can get someone to cover my shift). You have to arrange your own transportation. I am from the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, I could meet people in Indiana, or lower michigan, even wisc. or Illinois if I end up driving through there instead of Lower Michigan. Is anyone available to carpool through Sun.? I'm hoping to be able to stay longer but my work shifts may not be covered. Here are the numbers to call if you are interested (601) 944-4849 or (601) 944-4840, PM me if you can come with me, it is much more efficient if people can share costs of gas and possibly motel for one night.

I have also registered to volunteer with other agencies, including the Department of Health and human services but it may be awhile until you are deployed and Mississippi needs help NOW. I can always go later with an organization that might pay for transportation. Anyone?

Liz69 · Sep 5, 2005

Have you all given up on Bush being of any use?

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Sep 5, 2005

Leave Bush to the political threads please. Everyone has their opinions and there are plenty of other threads available for that discussion.

Thanks!

danfif · Sep 5, 2005

Well heck, I sure did want to make a slam on that one, but 14 is right on target. We have other things to worry, and talk about, leave that to other BB's.

Dan

Liz69 · Sep 5, 2005

I apologise, I really feel for these poor people in New Orleans, it is a shocking shame that the survivors now have more to fear from their fellow man than from disease, thirst and hunger. I have total respect for all who go to their aid - well done.

redwinggirlie · Sep 5, 2005

As far as sending things, ladies, let's not forget tampons and pads. Undies are great too.