(Wampsville, NY – Nov. 2014) A disaster hits. Volunteers are requested. The Central New York Medical Reserve Corps is called into action. The CNYMRC is a regional group of volunteers trained in advance to provide support during an emergency, supported by local health departments in eight Central New York counties. Madison County Health Department, a member of the Central New York Medical Reserve Corps, is holding a local recruitment and training day for new and existing volunteers.
Attend the Volunteer Recruitment and Training Day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Madison County Health Department, 138 N. Court St., Building 5, Wampsville. Learn more about becoming a member of the CNY Medical Reserve Corps and register online at healthymadisoncounty.org.
Volunteers come from medical and non-medical fields. There are doctors, nurses, pharmacists, mental health counselors, dentists, veterinarians, EMTs and paramedics, office workers, computer specialists, college students and retirees.
Volunteers train to support disaster-related activities and participate in drills, exercises and other emergency and non-emergency health activities. In most cases, your training as a volunteer focuses on learning your local emergency and health procedures, response techniques and other methods to enhance your work as an effective volunteer. Most importantly, you will learn to work as part of a team with other response partners. You choose where you want to volunteer and how much time to contribute.
A major health emergency has the potential to overwhelm the local public health system, and those responding, especially during the first 12 to 72 hours. Medical and other health volunteers can provide an important “surge” capacity during this critical time. The CNY Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers help strengthen the overall health and well-being of the communities it serves by contributing their skills, experience and services to enhance local emergency preparedness and response.
To register for the Nov. 15 Training Day or for more information, visit www.healthymadisoncounty.org or call 315.366.2576.