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Disaster Response in Haiti
via: Gregory Banner (HHS/ASPR/OPEO) - Jan. 23, 2010
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H1N1 Information
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MSAR Updates
Feb 3, 2009
H1N1 Volunteer Advisory Weekly Updates from MSAR |
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Photo Spotlight, January, 2010
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Disaster Response in Haiti
STATEMENT BY HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY JANET NAPOLITANO - Jan. 15, 2010
"The Department of Homeland Security continues to extend sympathy for our Haitian neighbors and support the worldwide relief effort underway in every way we can."
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CDC Updates
Message for COCA Partners on Emerging Events - Jan. 15, 2010
Dear Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Partner,
The CDC is committed to providing information to its partners, so that you can stay informed and communicate accurate information to your constituents. Please remember to send any questions or comments to coca@cdc.gov. We want to ensure that these updates are timely and helpful. To assist in your efforts, please see the following materials and resources: H1N1 Influenza Updates
Haiti Earthquake 2010 Updates
On behalf of the Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) |
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Haiti Information
Forwarded From: Kalina Crystal Black, ABCD Foster Grandparents Program, Jan. 15, 2010
Greetings all, I hope you are doing well and having a good morning. Last night, I attended the Haitian Family and Friend Community Event held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in South End in solidarity with Haitian friends and families from across our communities. Attached—A list of resources from Thomas Menino's office they presented. They also provided a Creole version of the notice and I would be happy to share a paper version with anyone who is interested. Also at this link are organizations that CNN has compiled for those who would like to contribute funds. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/ If you are interested in volunteering at the local level: Through the State of MA there is the "Hands On" organization who is taking volunteer requests/ inquires as we speak. You can email Tom Taylor at Volunteer Services at info@hodr.org to add your name to the volunteer list. For more information you can also visit their website at http://hodr.org/. You can also call them at 781 570 9412. Lastly, for those still looking for family members in Haiti, there is a website through the Red Cross that helps in the process of identifying family members across the country : http://www.icrc.org/familylinks
Peace and Solidarity, |
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National Influenza Vaccination Week
From: Governor Deval Patrick, Jan. 12, 2010
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From: Jennifer Frenette (HHS Region I), Jan. 12, 2010
Hey All MRC Unit Leaders, Happy New Year!! The MRC is right about to reach 200, 000 volunteers! We are SO close - if you have new volunteers or have not updated your profiles TODAY!!!! to include all of your new folks that have joined your forces during this recent flu season, PLEASE do so NOW!!!! A reminder that there are also a bunch of new items on the profiles to be answered to be complete. Another great reason to visit and update them. AND I will be scheduling Technical Assessment(TA) calls with all of you starting immediately. If you are a new unit in 2009, and "older" than 6 months in business, you will go first, so stand by!! TA time is a terrific opportunity to share all your activities, plans for the new year, and ask questions or bring up new and exciting ideas that could improve the MRC program as a whole. The Capacity Building Award, through the MRC Cooperative Agreement with NACCHO, announcements have all gone out. If you have not received notification, please be sure that you were the documented person to receive notification and that your email address was correct on your application. If you still are not sure, please contact me, and I will verify and be sure you recieve notification. If you were denied, do not hesitate to ask for clarification with NACCHO, and if you feel the issue is correct, work with me to resolve it. Finally the US DHHS Sebelius, has taken on smoking cessation and obesity/physical inactiveness as her target improvement areas. I encourage everyone to stop smoking and move around! AND on that note, if your units are engaged in any activities that include these items, please document them on you profiles and make me aware. Also, you can always sign your unit up for the President's Fitness Challenge to document your member's physical activities, earn points and fun awards! This is National Influenza Awareness Week! Please record all your activities on your MRC unit profiles! And for a bit more recognition, post this week's activities on: www.Flu.gov/getvaccinated Jennifer Frenette Regional Coordinator |
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From: Grace Middleton (HHS/OPHS), Jan. 6, 2010
Dear MRC Leaders: In preparation for National Influenza Vaccination Week (January 10-16, 2010), the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the White House Office of Public Engagement will hold an informational conference call with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 11:00am EST. This call will offer organizations the latest updates on the H1N1 virus and a first-hand preview of plans for National Influenza Vaccination Week. Please find the call-in information below. Title: H1N1 Call *provide in lieu of passcode* Attached are a letter from Secretary Sebelius and a one-pager about National Influenza Vaccination Week. We encourage organizations to plan outreach activities, vaccination clinics, or other events during this week to communicate that the H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective, and the best defense against the flu and we ask that you share your plans with us. Please also consider forwarding the following message to your membership lists with tips on how to prevent loved ones from getting the flu. While flu illness has declined in many areas, we are only at the beginning of the traditional flu season, which lasts until May. The H1N1 virus is unpredictable and we may see additional waves of illness. With your help, we now have an opportunity to get ahead of another potential surge in H1N1 and to protect millions of Americans. Participation in this outreach effort is voluntary. To learn more about National Influenza Vaccination Week and how you can get more involved, please visit www.FLU.gov/getvaccinated. Thank you. PDF version of the National Influenza Vaccination Week Schedule -- "Tell us what you have planned!"/p> Dear MRC Volunteers and Partners: You may have noticed the spread of the H1N1 flu decreasing lately. What many don't know is that flu season typically lasts through May, and that past pandemics have occurred in waves. In other words, it's possible that we will see another increase in H1N1 and/or seasonal flu in the months ahead. That's why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated January 10-16 as National Influenza Vaccination Week. Below are some useful tips provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for you to share with your family and friends as you begin the New Year. Add the Vaccine to Your New Year's Resolutions List – Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. To find the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine clinics nearest you, visit FLU.gov and type in your zip code. The Department of Health and Human Services recently teamed up with Google Maps to create this handy flu vaccine locator. Go ahead, try it out! NOTE: Please call ahead to the desired clinic location to confirm availability. Contact information is listed on the FLU.gov vaccine locator. Be a Germ Stopper – Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Also, stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick. For additional information, see how to prevent and treat the flu. Check the Facts and Stay Informed – Visit FLU.gov regularly for the latest information. Heard a rumor? Visit Myths & Facts to run a fact check. If you've been vaccinated already, please share this email with friends and family and let them know why the H1N1 vaccine is safe. The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is made the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. Millions of people have safely received the H1N1 vaccine, including the President, First Lady and their children. Interested in doing more? Consider hosting an outreach activity or vaccination clinic during National Influenza Vaccination Week (January 10-16) and share your plans with us. Or post a flyer at your work, school and local community centers. To learn more about National Influenza Vaccination Week, please visit www.FLU.gov/getvaccinated. Questions? Visit FLU.gov or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), offering services in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
Kathleen Sebelius PDF version of the Letter from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health And Human Services (below) |
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From: John Auerbach, DPH Commissioner, Dec. 30, 2009
Download the PDF Version of John Auerbach's letter to MRC volunteers
Dear Colleagues: I would like to extend my appreciation to the thousands of volunteers in the 45 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units based in Massachusetts who have been called upon more often than ever before because of the H1N1 virus. You have lived up to your mission of improving the health and safety of communities across Massachusetts by organizing and utilizing public health, medical and other volunteers. MRC members have generously provided their time and effort to support hundreds of public H1N1 and seasonal flu clinics throughout the Commonwealth over the past several months. Your support has been and will continue to be crucial to the continued success of our efforts to protect the public from H1N1 through mass vaccination and other means. MRC members have also assisted in community education and awareness campaigns and assisted in planning and exercises in preparation for the mass vaccination efforts that helped ensure success during the H1N1 pandemic. Many people in the highest-risk groups have been vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. And, for the moment, H1N1 flu illness has declined in most areas. But, we are only at the beginning of the traditional flu season and H1N1 could return with a vengeance. Therefore, we still need your support to continue the vaccination efforts, to educate and inform the public about the flu and to be on call for the unpredictable. Once again, thank you for your past efforts and for your ongoing commitment to protecting the public's health. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy new year – with less illness (H1N1 and otherwise) and fewer emergencies. Sincerely, |
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Photo Spotlight, Dec., 2009
The Medfield MRC takes a breather to pose with Santa during the 5K Angel Run in Medfield in December 2009.
The MRC staffed a first aid booth during the road race. Photo Courtesy of Debra Gursha CIH
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Liisa Jackson, Nov 11, 2009
H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Volunteers NeededDear Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers The MA Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps in partnership with the Local Health Departments in Region 4A are preparing for the likelihood of a Region wide H1N1 vaccination effort, and we need support from the Medical Reserve Corps volunteers to help us staff flu clinics across the Region. We are building vaccination teams to support the Local Health Departments in the Region that may not have enough volunteers to staff their flu clinics. To support the many clinics that are being planned across the Region, we are looking for:
In addition, we may need office support at the local Health Departments. To fill that role we could use: Public Health workers, students, and others with some weekday availability who are comfortable with data entry and telephone case interviews If you would like to volunteer for the Region 4A vaccination Team please fill out this survey Thank you for helping to protect the residents of Massachusetts. We expect to vaccinate a large percentage of our residents , and this would not be possible without the help and support of the Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.
Kindly, |
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Boston Globe, Nov 3, 2009
Harvard launches iPhone app for swine fluStory from the Boston Globe |
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October 27, 2009
Presidential Declaration of National EmergencyThe following message was received and confirmed over the weekend:
From: Health & Homeland Alert Network (HHAN)
Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 8:40 PM
To: Liisa Jackson (email)
Subject: HHAN Alert (Moderate): Presidential Declaration of National
Emergency With Respect to H1N1 Influenza
The following is an alert message from the Massachusetts Health and
Homeland Alert Network:
Title: Presidential Declaration of National Emergency
With Respect to H1N1 Influenza
Group: LBOH
Time Sent: 2009-10-24 20:40:00
Severity: Moderate
Sensitivity: This message does not contain sensitive information.
Alert Identifier: D8HWVEZ8GXLXL8QYHPTMQDWBDF37WP58
Alert Message:
Good evening. This alert is to inform you that the President has
signed a Declaration of National Emergency With Respect to the H1N1
Influenza Pandemic. The Declaration will provide more flexibility for
hospitals in their response to H1N1 influenza. The declaration would
permit the federal government to waive specific hospital-related legal
requirements. This would allow hospitals to take certain actions to
respond to increased demands for care and to fully implement their
disaster operations plans that enable appropriate care during
emergencies. For more information, including the declaration and
message to Congress, please log on to the HHAN.
Confirmation of this alert is required, please follow this link to
confirm:
<-- clip -->
This notice does not require immediate action on the part of any volunteers. It is posted here for informational purposes only. |
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Relayed from Robert C. Williams, Acting Deputy Surgeon General, Sept 1, 2009
Letter from the Acting Deputy Surgeon General
Dear MRC Leaders and Volunteers, |
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Relayed from Priscilla Fox, MDPH Deputy General Counsel, August 17, 2009
Liability Protection for H1N1 VolunteersPlease see the attached PREP Act memo from Priscilla Fox, MDPH Deputy General Counsel, which summarizes the liability protection for people who will be involved in the H1N1 vaccination efforts this fall. |
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From the Massachusetts Medical Reserve Corps H1N1 Volunteer Advisory August 7, 2009
Emergency Preparedness Bureau
FLU ADVISORY
Volunteer Update on MassachusettsAs of August 6, 2009, 1,383 confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported throughout Massachusetts. As of July 30, there have been 5,514 hospitalized cases of H1N1 nationally, with 353 deaths. DPH continues planning for the fall flu season. This week there was a great deal of emphasis on vaccination planning for seasonal influenza and also for novel H1N1 flu. This year, because of expedited production, Massachusetts may see its supply of seasonal influenza vaccine earlier than ever. It is likely that health care providers across the state could start vaccinating their patients for seasonal flu as early as the end of August. This is important because while a vaccine for seasonal influenza won't protect against the new H1N1 flu, it WILL protect from the seasonal flu -- which will likely be circulating at the same time that H1N1 flu is circulating. The CDC is continuing to develop and test a vaccine for H1N1 flu and has indicated that an H1N1 vaccine may be available in large quantities starting in October. Even if the H1N1 vaccine is ready by then, it will likely not be delivered all at once. All states will likely receive an initial allocation and then regular shipments after that. Given that we are already in August, planning has also focused on back-to-school issues relating to the upcoming flu season. DPH is working closely on a number of planning issues with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as School Health Nurses and local public health partners. The goal of course is to keep students and staff healthy and to manage likely flu outbreaks with as little disruption as possible for schools and parents. The CDC issued revised guidance on the amount of time persons with influenza-like illness should be away from others. CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm. Please go to the Department's website at www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu to receive the most up to date information.
Contact MSAR: |
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Acton's Emergency Dispensing Site Drill a Success!
The Acton Board of Health and the Medical Reserve Corps held an Emergency Dispensing Site Drill this spring in which over 400 vehicles participated in the "Drive Through" educational exercise. The drill was held in conjunction with Acton Hazardous Waste Day . This mock incident was designed to understand how well the 20,000 Acton residents are prepared for a large-scale medical emergency. The MRC distributed literature to Acton residents outlining steps to take in the event of an epidemic. 
Click image for full size image
Emergency Dispensing Site Drill Volunteers Front: |
| Your Team |
Are you thinking of becoming a Volunteer? We are looking for
individuals who are interested in joining the Medical Reserve Corps
(MRC) to support their town, region, state, or even beyond. The
MRC is made up of volunteers who assist in preparing for and responding
to public health emergencies. The MRC may also be called upon to help
during the year with routine events in the community (e.g. Annual Flu
Clinic, Health Fair, or Public Health Outreach). Local Corps are
formed in conjuction with Police, Fire, and the Board of Health in each
town. United States citizenship is not required to be part of the MRC,
and any community member can assist with administrative and other
essential support functions, even without medical training.
Learn more...
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| Volunteer Benefits |
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Benefits of volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps:
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Jan 2010 Progress Report- Dec 2009 Progress Report
- Nov 2009 Progress Report
- Oct 2009 Progress Report
- Sept 2009 Progress Report
- Aug 2009 Progress Report
- July 2009 Progress Report
June 2009 Progress Report- May 2009 Progress Report
- Apr 2009 Progress Report
- Mar 2009 Progress Report
- Feb 2009 Progress Report
- Jan 2009 Progress Report
- FY 2008 Annual Report
- Dec 2008 Progress Report
- Nov 2008 Progress Report
- Oct 2008 Progress Report
A Quicktime movie for download and playback:
Applying ICS to an EDS Clinic
(63 MB file; suggest right-click and Save Target As or Download Linked File)
Monthly newsletters (PDF format)
July/August 2008
May/June 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
The Medical Reserve Corps is sponsored by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. The United States is divided into 10 National MRC regions, each of which is divided further into state and local level MRC units. The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) ...read more
In 2003 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created regions throughout the state under the newly established Center for Emergency Preparedness. Emergency Preparedness Region 4A is part of that system. read more...
Is your family prepared for an emergency? Click here to obtain instructions on how to make a "72 hour kit". Everything you need to face three days on your own.