Capability 1. Public Health Education
The public has opportunities to be educated on developing an emergency preparedness plan, how to create a go-bag, and how to stay safe from public health threats. This is done through community presentations, tabling events and social media. In addition, the public will be educated on what the MRC’s role is in the county and how they potentially may be qualified to become a member.
Capability 2. Public Health Points of Distribution (PODS)
Centralized locations in impacted areas where residents pick up life-sustaining relief supplies following a disaster or emergency will be designated. Volunteers will staff the PODS to support in relief efforts. Residents will be informed on these locations as needed through shelter volunteers, disseminated flyers and the Public Health Information Officer .
Capability 3. Public Health Screening
Public health screenings will be conducted by MRC deployed public health nurses, doctors and behavioral/mental health professionals at emergency pop-ups, shelters, and other locations set up for necessary screenings. This is done to assess and best manage the health status of the community and advise a plan dependent on that status. Those who may need to be isolated or quarantined can be separated as not to impact others in the population.
Capability 4. Medical Surge
The MRC members in Tier Levels 1-4 can be activated to local surge responses in an emergency. Members can augment and assist emergency shelters with setting up an alternate care site.
Capability 5. Emergency Shelters
Based on the severity of the emergency, specific shelters will be set up. Public health nurses and doctors will be deployed to manage and staff these shelters, as well as behavioral health volunteers. Shelters can be pop-up shelters or those previously identified as a shelter designated site. Emergency shelters are based on the location of the disaster, severity of needs and number of displaced residents.
Capability 6. Support Emergency Operations Center(s)
Support Emergency Operation Centers can be established if there is a need and are based on the nature of the disaster and number of displaced residents. MRC non-medical and medical volunteers can staff these additional support centers.
Capability 7. Mental Health
Mental health and behavioral health volunteers will be deployed to assess mental health needs in an emergency. These volunteers are trained in psychological first aid and are licensed professionals. These can include psychologists, social workers, counselors and psychiatrists.
Capability 8. Disaster Response
The MRC volunteers will be activated in accordance with the nature of the emergency. MRC volunteers are deployed and communicated with through email, text and phone. Volunteers will confirm their availability with the MRC Coordinator.
Capability 9. Ongoing Planning and Training
Ongoing planning for the MRC to identify gaps through planning, training, exercising and managing resources will be conducted.
Capability 10. Can Deploy Statewide
If other counties need additional MRC volunteers to help support disaster efforts, we can deploy those pre-approved to assist other counties. The DHV system can identify specific volunteers. We can identify and communicate this need immediately as well as with the other county.