Dear Region 4A MRC volunteers~

We want to thank all of you for your willingness to help due to Hurricane Earl, we had a wonderful response to the call for volunteers.

There were a total of 96 people who did make use of the 16 open shelters on and near the Cape as of Saturday morning. Local MRC organizations and the Red Cross were able to manage them without the additional assistance of Region 4A.

As of Saturday September 4, 2010 at 7pm we are Standing Down.

As always we are so impressed with the Region 4A MRC volunteers and your outstanding contribution that you give to your communities and all of Massachusetts.

Thank you all it is truly a privilege to work with you all~

Liisa Jackson
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator

Here is an update from FEMA via NEDRIX for your FYI:

• Weather information conveyed at the 9:00 a.m. briefing indicated Massachusetts will begin to be impacted by Hurricane Earl around 2 p.m. today, through 2 a.m. Saturday morning.
  ***NOTE: These times are approximate based on the latest storm track - keep in mind they are subject to change.
• The Governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island have declared states of emergency.
• The priority today is employee travel safety. The Army Corps of Engineers will close the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges if they measure wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, and the Cape Cod Traffic Plan will be invoked.
• There is a safety plan for the Braga Bridge in Fall River.
• Public transportation alerts for the MBTA can be found at mbta.com - Service Alerts for buses, trains, and ferries are listed on the right side of the home page.
• If your facility is not normally staffed during the weekend, it is recommended you take precautions with computers, servers, and other electronic equipment that may be affected by a power outages and subsequent return to service to avoid power surges.
• Also, please prepare accordingly if your facility is prone to flooding. The heaviest rain is expected to fall within a 6 hours period, which could cause "urban run-off flooding" and flooding in low-lying areas.

This afternoon, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts in anticipation of Hurricane Earl and will be asking President Obama for a federal disaster declaration in order to access federal resources. No additional actions have been announced.

Some Preparedness Tips:

• If you are NOT in a low lying area, prepare to shelter in place with 1 day's supply of food, water, batteries, flashlight and other supplies (including medications) that apply to your family.
• Check on elderly neighbors and other who may need assistance.
• If you live in a Low Lying area that is prone to flooding - make plans to relocate by Friday afternoon. If you do not have a place to go, please proceed to a shelter in your local community.
• If you are traveling to or from Cape Cod, be off the road from tomorrow afternoon (Friday) through Saturday morning.
• Schools and businesses are asked to plan accordingly based on these directions.

Business impacts:

• Businesses should consider the safety of employees traveling to and from their workplace, beginning Friday and continuing through the day Saturday.
• Organizations are recommended to review emergency management plans and business continuity plans, particularly regarding the potential loss of utility service and the potential for flooding.

Dear Region 4A MRC volunteers~

As many of you are aware Hurricane Earl is now a Category 3 storm and gradually making its way up the East Coast towards New England.

While the path of this storm is still uncertain, it is being projected that is could have a significant impact on Eastern Mass. As a result, the Region 4A MRC is informing you that we may be asking for your help in the next 24 to 48 hours, please monitor your email and the web-page for the latest information.

While we can't predict exactly what this storm will do, we can anticipate that volunteers will be needed in Sheltering, Disaster Assessment and all support activities should the storm impact Massachusetts. If you know you will be available this weekend, you may sign up to be put On Standby for a potential deployment. See the Deployemnt Listing Page for more details.

Resources from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:

• Hurricane Preparedness
• Precautions for Swimmers and Boaters
• Safety Tips for Businesses

Thank you so much~

Liisa Jackson
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator

Hopkinton, MA 01748
# 774-278-0059

Dear MRC Leaders, Volunteers, and Colleagues,

The 9/11 Drill Down for Safety initiative was created last year to improve readiness and resiliency, and lessen the devastating impact of disasters on individuals, their communities, and the Nation. The goal is to encourage individuals to conduct emergency drills at home, work and in their communities. Medical Reserve Corps leaders and volunteers have an opportunity to be at the forefront of this program by participating and promoting involvement in the event.

The Safe America Foundation has joined with corporate partners, community leaders, and government agencies to be sure that Americans practice being prepared. In the inaugural event last September, approximately 400,000 people participated and practiced what they would do in an emergency. Today, they are launching their 2010 campaign, and I will participate in the event in New York City, as they share the message of preparedness. I encourage you to begin thinking and planning now about how you and your MRC unit might participate in this activity. We all recognize the importance of being better prepared, in order to be better able to respond and adapt to a hurricane, public health emergency, attack, or other situation that may arise. This initiative can easily weave into our already strong participation in National Preparedness Month in September and the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th.

This year, the organizers of Drill Down for Safety also seek to test the collective ability of Americans to simultaneously react using telephone and wireless devices. So, as part of the initiative this year, Safe America is encouraging a national "texting drill." The goal is to have people make a quick 'text' to family members and others who would be important for them to reach in an emergency. It is becoming better understood that 'texting' may become the first form of communications in a disaster – replacing voice communications (which may not be generally available).

The Safe America Foundation has a comprehensive plan for the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety initiative, including ad campaigns, educational webinars, partnerships, evaluation/research, participant recognition, and much more. To learn more about the initiative, access materials, and become involved, please visit http://www.safeamericaprepared.org. I look forward to hearing stories of your 9/11 Drill Down for Safety activities, and know that each activity contributes to the positive and far-reaching impact on the resiliency of your communities and the Nation.

Warmest Regards,

Rob

CAPT Rob Tosatto
Director, Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps

(301) 443-2528

www.medicalreservecorps.gov

Volunteers Building Strong, Healthy, and Prepared Communities

Hi Everyone,

Four (4) different one-hour Public Health Nursing webinar educational sessions sponsored by the New England Alliance for Public Health Workforce Development at BU School of Public Health and the MA Association of Public Health Nurses (MAPHN) have been archived along with the PowerPoint slides and handouts. They are available for download at http://sph.bu.edu/otlt/alliance/maphn

MAPHN will offer one (1) nursing contact hour for 30 days following each "live" session.

1. "Challenges When Sheltering Displaced Populations during Natural and Manmade Disasters" presenter: Sandra Schoenfisch, PhD, RN presented live on 7/15/10 . The 1 nursing contact hour will expire at midnight on Sunday, 8/15/10.
2. "Bringing Your Best Leader to Work" presenter: Anna von Dielingen, MSN, RN presented live on 7/22/10 . The 1 nursing contact hour will expire at midnight on Sunday, 8/22/10.
3. "Nursing Leadership: Having Difficult Conversations" presented by Karren Kowalski, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN presented live on 7/29/10. The 1 nursing contact hour will expire at midnight on Sunday 8/29/10.
4. "Compassion Fatigue: Healing the Heart -Renewing the Soul" presented by Donna M. White, PhD, RN, CS, CADAC presented live on 8/3/10. The 1 nursing contact hour will expire at midnight on Friday, 9/3/10.

Please feel free to share this email with your colleagues.

Thanks,

Glynnis LaRosa, RN, MPH, CPHQ
Senior Public Health Nursing Advisor
Bureau of Infectious Disease Prevention, Response and Services Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Email:
Website: www.mass.gov/dph
Blog: http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us

PSA Online is now available on the NCTSN Learning Center! PFA online includes a 6-hour interactive course on Psychological First Aid that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. This professionally-narrated course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review. It features innovative activities, video demonstrations, and mentor tips from the nation's trauma experts and survivors. PFA Online also offers a Learning Community where participants can share experiences using PFA in the field, receive guidance during times of disaster, and obtain additional resources and training. This project was funded by SAMHSA, NCPTSD, and NACCHO.

To Sign Up:

1. Visit the NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma
2. Create a free account (direct link)
3. Check your email for your account confirmation message
4. Confirm your account by following the link in the email
5. Return to http://learn.nctsn.org and enroll in the Psychological First Aid Online course

Need Technical Assistance? Email

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, NCTSN, is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and jointly coordinated by UCLA and Duke University.

The Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps'
2009-2010 Strategic Plan and accompanying Strategy Map
is in the last phase of its two year cycle.

• What do you think has gone well?
• Are things on track?
• What do you think should be in the national plan for 2011?
• What would you like to see added or enhanced in Region 4A?

Send your feedback to

Hi Everyone~

Please find information in the following link from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on extreme heat. Please note to keep in touch with relatives and friends who may be more prone to the present heat we are experiencing.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

Stay cool,

Liisa Jackson, Coordinator
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

The CDC has published a instructional video for fit testing N95 respirators:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/podcasts/mp4/SwineFlu_Respirators.mp4

Hi Everyone~
I wanted to share this very nice letter that we received from the Red Cross.
Have a great day~

Liisa Jackson, Coordinator
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

click for full size

Dear Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers~

The MA Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps wants to thank all of our MRC volunteers who assisted in staffing shelters across the state set up to provide shelter to the people who had to evacuate their homes due to severe flooding in Massachusetts.

Our volunteers also assisted in Disaster Assessments for FEMA and distributing clean supplies with the Red Cross.

Many of you offered your time over and over again. Even if we didn't use you during the deployment we appreciate your willingness to help others. We were heartened by your generosity and incredible commitment to aid your stricken fellow citizens.

It is such a pleasure to work with all of you.

Thank you so much!

Liisa Jackson, Coordinator
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

Hello Everyone~

The Red Cross is still seeking our assistance. If anyone is available on Tuesday to help pass out these clean up supplies (see request below) please contact me at

Liisa Jackson
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

Great news! The Freetown shelter will be closing Monday morning.

However, the Red Cross is still seeking our assistance.If anyone is available tomorrow to help pass out these clean up supplies (see request below) please contact me at

Again thank you all for your willingness to help.

Liisa Jackson
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

We have a request to have 2 volunteers per "8 to 8" (12 hour) shift from now until Monday; we can split the shifts up if needed. To volunteer, please contact me at

I know we are coming up on a Holiday weekend, if you are available I know your work would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help

Liisa Jackson
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

The Waltham shelter has been closed they don't expect it to re-open.

The Lawrence shelter is open today but we expect it to be closed later this afternoon.

We would like the MRC volunteers to stay on stand-by in case there is still a need to staff shelters.

Liisa Jackson, Coordinator
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

The MA Region 4A MRC needs MRC volunteers to assist in staffing shelters that may be set up to give a shelter to the people who could have to evacuate their homes due to the flooding in Massachusetts.

Please let me know your availability over the next 7 days via

We are so grateful for your assistance, thank you in advance for your help.

Liisa Jackson, Coordinator
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

Thank you so much for your willingness to help with the Disaster Assessment partnership with the Red Cross. They have signed up all of the volunteers needed to do the assessments, so we can stand down.

Liisa Jackson, Coordinator
Massachusetts Region 4A Medical Reserve Corps

• Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris, including broken bottles, glass nails and other sharp objects.
• Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns or open flames unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been aired out.
• Carbon Monoxide exhaust kills. Only use camping stoves, generators or other gasoline-powered machines outdoors. Fumes from charcoal are especially deadly, so only use outdoors
• Avoid floodwaters. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewerage (a source of bacteria and virus).
• Wash hands frequently with sanitizer or soap and clean water if you come in contact with floodwaters.
• Look for hazards such as broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, submerged furnaces or electrical appliances and damaged sewage systems.
• Dispose of all food that has come in contact with floodwaters. Canned food may appear fine, but is not worth the risk.

• Remove the accumulated flood water and disinfect the area within 24 to 48 hours.
• After the water is pumped out, all flooded floor and wall surfaces should be washed with a sanitizer solution.
  • Sanitizer solution can be simply mixed by using two (2) capfuls of household bleach for each one (1) gallon of water.
  • Remember to always wear water proof/ chemical resistant (latex or nitrile) gloves and safety glasses when using sanitizer.
  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with other cleaners will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
• Open windows or use fans if necessary to dry out the flooded area after it has been sanitized.
• When in doubt, throw it out:
  Porous non cleanable items include carpeting, carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood and food.
• Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

• If your home, apartment or business has suffered damage, call your insurance company or agent who handles your flood insurance right away to file a claim. Take pictures/video of the damage, both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
• Be prepared for a rough time. Recovering from a flood is a big job. It is rough on the body and the spirit. The aftereffects of this type of disaster on you and your family may last a long time. Consult a health professional on how to recognize and care for anxiety, stress and fatigue.

• Get Vaccinated!
  Sign up for a local H1N1 Vaccination Clinic
  
  
• CDC: Main H1N1 Flu Resource Page
• Massachusetts: Health Blog / Flu Statistics
• Massachusetts:
  H1N1 Flu Facts Presentation

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:

On behalf of the Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA)
Joint Information Center (JIC) Clinician Communication Team
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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,

Kalina Crystal Black
ABCD Foster Grandparents Program
Program Manager
617 348 6783
black at bostonabcd.org

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
Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Region I
76 Portland St.
Lancaster, NH 03584
603-788-2769
603-788-2032(fax)
jennifer.frenette@hhs.gov
www.medicalreservecorps.gov
Volunteers Building Strong, Healthy, and Prepared Communities

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*
Participant: (800) 230-1085

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!"

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
Secretary of Health And Human Services
Washington, DC 20201

PDF version of the Letter from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health And Human Services (below)