This newsletter will summarize some of the items that were discussed at the SMC MRC meeting on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
MEMBERSHIP:
· We have 2 new SMCMRC members.
· We have 3 members that have been unable to attend a meeting, training, or exercise in the past year and they are now inactive, but will remain on the DHVC website system for individual notification or deployment.
· We currently have 7 openings for new members.
501c3 STATUS:
· Carole Klove (RN & attorney), Susan Vandiver, and Michael Klass have been working on establishing the SMCMRC as a 501c3 non-profit organization. Midge Schmidt, CPA, will volunteer her time for consultations and filing of tax returns. Carol has amended the By-Laws, written Articles of Incorporation, and will be obtaining a Federal Tax ID number and bank account. Our application has been submitted. When approved, this will allow us to obtain more grant funding, obtain some liability coverage, and provide some tax write-offs for our members.
DSW ID CARDS:
· We are working with the County to provide ID cards for SMCMRC members. This has been a slow process and may not be finalized until we have obtained 501c3 status. Those members that have not updated their DSW ID cards should wait until we have finalized our arrangements with the County.
TRAINING:
· CERT TRAINING: CERT training is still required for all MRC members. Courses are offered by the many Fire Departments on the Peninsula and schedules can be obtained at SMCREADY.ORG. We are currently negotiating with the Redwood City Fire Department to provide CERT training on the Coastside.
· CPR(NOW CCR)TRAINING: HMB- Cal-Fire Battalion Chiefs Ari Delay and David Cosgrave will be conducting several CPR classes for our MRC members. We are waiting on the new manuals and will try to have a weekend class in the next few months. It will be the AHA class with a 2-year certificate. I will notify members when the dates are set.
· FIRST AID TRAINING: A course will be scheduled after we find a new training director. We may also combine a first aid class with the CPR class.
· WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE: A 2-day course has been scheduled for September 24 & 25th (Sat & Sun). It is a 16-hour class. There will be a $100 fee which is significantly less than similar courses. A minimum of 14 participants are needed and we are required to pay in advance. The deadline to apply is August 14th.
· PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID (PFA): 3 free classes were offered at local hospitals in the past 2 months. There may be a few more classes later in the year.
· CBRNE(CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, EXPLOSIVE)TRAINING:
The Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) is offering free (airfare, lodging, food) training at their Federal training facility in Anniston, Alabama. There are dozens of courses and most last 2-4 days. Courses are for fire, police, administrators, MRC, CERT, etc. and include classroom and hands-on training. Michael Klass attended a class in May and you may contact him for more information if you are interested.
· TRAINING CORDINATOR: Because of other commitments, Laurie Agrillo has stepped down as our training coordinator. Please notify Michael Klass if you would like to take an active role in coordinating our training classes. The Wilderness First Aid course and other future training classes will be dependent on having a Training Coordinator.
MERCHANDISE & SUPPLIES:
· Jim Asche and the County EMSA got approval for our 6x12 foot mobile trailer to accommodate our large field treatment tent, generator, lights, cots, chairs, backpacks, and medical supplies. The trailer has been built and customized and after the licenses are obtained and logos applied, it should be delivered within the next few weeks.
· The DRI Company backpacks with medical supplies should be delivered later this year. Everyone previously registered on DHVC is eligible to receive one.
SAN MATEO COUNTY EMSA UPDATE:
Kevin Rose gave an update on EMSA activities and involvement with the MRC.
· Kevin discussed the trailer acquisition.
· The State Medical & Health Exercise will be on Thursday, November 17th. The scenario is a disruption in water service.
· The SFO Air Crash Exercise is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26. There are no current plans for MRC participation.
DISASTER HEALTHCARE VOLUNTEERS OF CALIFORNIA (DHVC)
· Be sure that you are registered.
· Please update your information (contact information, professional license renewal)
MRC ACTIVITIES:
· SILVER DRAGON V BIOTERRORISM EXERCISE: - March 24, 2011 – Despite the bad weather, the event was very successful and there were many lessons learned.
There were many representatives from the CDC, California Health Department, and other County agencies that observed the exercise.
· VENTURA COUNTY 2-DAY SHELTER EXERCISE: - May 10 & 11, 2011 –
This was a very interesting 36-hour shelter exercise funded by a Federal grant and organized by the Ventura County Health Department and MRC unit. Over 800 people participated. The educational classes covering over 40 topics were excellent. Many people stayed overnight in the Red Cross shelter. The live disaster exercise involved 8 local hospitals, 200 “victims,” the California Air National Guard C-130 medi-vac plane, and the Ventura County search & rescue helicopter.
· Coastside Emergency Action Plan (CEAP): This is a bimonthly meeting of non-profit organizations that are interested in disaster preparedness on the Coastside. The SMCMRC has been an active participant since its inception.
· EMERGENCY PREPAREDNES ACTION COUNCIL (EPAC): This small group of first responder leaders (Police Chief, Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department, San Mateo County EMSA, ARES, Red Cross, Harbor Master, etc) met every 2-3 months. The SMCMRC was also asked to participant. It was chaired by the HMB police chief and since the department has been disolved, the Council is no longer functioning.
UPCOMING EXERCISES & ACTIVITIES:
· NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR WORKSHOP:This workshop concerns stress management and psychological aspects to disasters. The July 7th meeting in HMB was postponed.
· AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY “RELAY FOR LIFE”: August 20-21, 2011
The SMCMRC has been asked to participate in the annual RLF event at Cunha School. It is a 24-hour event and if we are able to obtain liability coverage, we will provide several first aid tents and services.
· SEASONAL FLU SHOTS: We are planning to have several flu vaccination clinics.
PRESENTATIONS: Carol Masterson, RN is a member of our MRC and also the CA-6 Bay Area DMAT team. She recently returned from a medical mission to Afghanistan and gave a fascinating presentation about her experience.
DISASTER MEETING SITE: In the event of an emergency or disaster, we will alert all SMC MRC members by the Disaster Healthcare Volunteers of California (DHVC) website and information will be provided on your cell phone, land line, pager, or computer. In the event that a disaster occurs and all means of communications are disrupted, the SMC MRC WILL MEET IN FRONT OF THE HMB POLICE (SHERIFF) STATION.
COMMUNICATIONS: Most emails are now sent as “blind copies” so that people don’t accidently reply to everyone.
NEXT SMC MRC MEETING: The next meeting will be in September or October, 2011 and will be on a Saturday morning. Diana Roberts-Mitchell, RN will give a presentation about treatment of burns and wounds.
Michael Klass, MD
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