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CENTRAL GA MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS HELPS PREPARE AREA RESIDENTS FOR EMERGENCIES

September is National Preparedness Month and during this month, agencies from across the country encourage residents to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. One local emergency response group, the Central Georgia Medical Reserve Corps (CGMRC), wants Central Georgians to take a closer look at their personal emergency plans to ensure they are prepared for any disaster.

The CGMRC is a group of healthcare volunteers who are available to respond in situations that may overwhelm available Medical resources. Because of the volunteer agency’s medical focus, this group is particularly concerned for individuals who have special medical needs because these individuals often require more planning for emergencies. Some examples of invididuals who should make special emergency considerations are: people with medical conditions and/or disabilities, people with special dietary requirements, hearing or vision barriers, individuals with service animals, anyone needing special transportation, etc. To assist these individuals with planning, the CGMRC has developed a presentation specifically designed to teach participants how to create an emergency plan that considers their medical needs. This presentation is called, “Emergency Preparedness for Special Needs Populations.”

Designed by CGMRC volunteer, Marilyn Halaska, this presentation has already been given to 4 local agencies and is available to anyone with interest. The presentation lasts approximately an hour, but can be adjusted if needed. It also can be generalized to simply talk about emergency/disaster planning for the general public.

Halaska, RN, MSN, EdD, said, “Recognizing that planning ahead helps people to better cope with the unexpected and minimize the impact of a disaster on their lives, the CGMRC designed this community awareness presentation as a basic how-to guide for people, including those with special medical needs. The information, demonstration and hands-on activites cover basic plans and supplies that can increase a person's safety and comfort during a disaster. It also increases the ability of emergency services to respond to a person's special medical needs.”

The CGMRC is also actively recruiting new members. Any individuals with a medical background who are interested in serving their community in a disaster are encouraged to join!

For more information on this presentation, how to ensure your family is prepared, or to join the CGMRC, call (478) 751-6245 or visit the website www.northcentralhealthdistrict.com/mrc.