Volunteers Strengthening Our Communitys Emergency Preparedness
and Response
Slide 3
Following 9-11 attacks thousands of unaffiliated volunteers
show up volunteering to assist No ID or credential No coverage
under liability laws No systematic training No clear communications
or management in place
Slide 4
Asks American citizens to volunteer to support their country
through the USA Freedom Corps
Slide 5
Nationally registered Fall 2006 under USA Freedom Corps and
Dept. of Homeland Security Citizen Corps Began recruiting 6 months
later Represents 2 counties Currently consists of 140 registered
members Actively recruiting medical and non-medical members
Slide 6
Okaloosa County Health Department is host organization OWMRC is
an independent organization was created to supplement local
health/medical system during emergencies
Slide 7
To engage health care professionals in helping the community
prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies, disasters, and
urgent public health needs by providing a group of trained and
readily available volunteer professionals who supplement and assist
the local health and medical emergency response system.
Slide 8
Establish the necessary organizational, operational and
administrative procedures for the effective operation of OWMRC
Provides guidance to OWMRC volunteers, medical practitioners,
public health officials, emergency service personnel and others for
the effective integration of volunteers in emergency medical
operations and public health activities Identifies and outlines
professional specialties, qualifications and training needs for
membership
Slide 9
To supplement emergency medical response to disasters and
urgent public health needs. Points of Dispensing (POD) Alternative
Medical Treatment Sites (AMTS) Triage Call Centers
Slide 10
Place where people can go to receive prophylactic medications
or immunizations Plans call for a PODS in north, central and south
Okaloosa County PODS require 44 workers per 12-hour shift Setup can
be in any existing building such as a school or a church.
Slide 11
Primarily for triage/minor treatment for epidemic/ pandemic
respiratory illnesses Intent: provide alternative treatment center
to alleviate crowding of hospital ED. Plans call for 30-cot AMTS in
north, central and south Okaloosa County.
Slide 12
Centralized call-in for individual triage during
epidemic/pandemic Will operate in place of Citizens Information
Line Staffed by RNs Will be open concurrently with PODs and
AMTSs
Slide 13
Serve as OWMRC leaders Provide medical care, administer
vaccines and dispense medications Provide health education Provide
counseling for victims, families and responders Promote
preparedness Provide administrative and logistical support
Slide 14
15 Primary Care Physicians 15 Medical Doctors 30 ARNP or PAs 60
RNs 60 LPNs 60 CNAs 10 Respiratory therapists 10 Pharmacists 10
Social Workers, mental health counselors Non-medical (legal
advisors, security, greeters, chaplains, interpreters, admin,
etc)
Slide 15
Community Service Skill Development opportunities Peer
networking CEUs available free County Health Department training
classes Participation in Okaloosa County Health Department
exercises
Slide 16
Protection during Federally/State declared disasters ensured by
state/federal law: If volunteer acts within scope of practice of
licensure If volunteer follows policies/procedures of OWMRC