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Healthcare Volunteers Encouraged to Join the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps

During disaster recovery efforts, health care volunteers provide crucial assistance that allows first responders to focus on the most fragile members of our society. One way to become a volunteer is by registering with a program called the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps unit serves 13 counties in Middle Georgia. The mission of the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps is to assist and supplement our communities with health care volunteers in response to situations that overwhelm available resources. Volunteers of all skills levels and backgrounds are needed during emergency response. Whether you are a licensed or certified health care provider, an administrative specialist, a retired professional or just an individual willing to help during a disaster, the North Central Health District invites you to join the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps (CGMRC).

Dr. David Harvey, District Health Director said, “One of the responsibilities of public health is to ensure the proper care of invididuals with special medical needs in shelter situations. With Hurricane Hanna quickly approaching the coastline, Central Georgia may take in evacuees with special needs and public health would rely on the assistance of volunteers. I urge you to consider joining the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps.”

There are two ways to register for the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps. You can call the CGMRC Coordinator at (478) 751-6304 or register online at www.servga.gov. SERVGA (pronounced Serve Georgia) is Georgia’s State Emergency Registry of Volunteers; it is administered by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Office of Preparedness.

The www.servga.gov online registration form allows volunteers to include their licenses and certifications, language skills, and types of jobs or tasks they can contribute to disaster recovery efforts. SERVGA integrates local, regional, statewide volunteers programs to assist emergency response and public safety organizations during a disaster. It is part of a national initiative to coordinate and mobilize volunteers to respond to all types of emergencies.

Karen Ebey-Tesendorf, Emergency Preparedness Director and acting CGMRC Coordinator, said, “Because Hurricane Hanna is currently headed toward the coast with two other storms behind it, we are reminded of the need for volunteers to assist with the care of special needs patients who may seek shelter in Central Georgia. Depending on the path that Hanna takes, we may need volunteers as early as this week. If you are considering volunteering with the CGMRC, the quickest way to join would be to call (478) 751-6245.”

To learn more about the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps, visit www.northcentralhealthdistrict.com/mrc. To view a video about www.servga.gov and other Emergency Preparedness messages, visit www.YouTube.com/dhrcomm.

 For more information on how to prepare for an emergency, visit www.ready.ga.gov.