The Contra Costa Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in California plays an active role in strengthening local response capabilities through trainings and joint exercises with partners. The unit is comprised of 91 medical and non-medical volunteers including doctors, physicians’ assistants, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, and nursing students. The unit also works with a local high school’s HOSA chapter to incorporate students into trainings and activities where appropriate.
A full-scale exercise to support the local hospital preparedness grant is one example of the unit’s collaboration with a host of partners. Last summer, the MRC unit’s sponsoring agency Contra Costa Health, on behalf of the Contra Costa Healthcare Coalition, sponsored a full-scale exercise focusing on multiple organization’s capability to respond to mass casualty incidents and long-term care evacuation due to a hazardous materials release. MRC volunteers participated alongside over 600 individuals from nine hospitals, two long-term care facilities, three fire departments, two hazardous materials teams, four ambulance services, an air ambulance, the county sheriff’s office, and FEMA.
MRC volunteers served in a variety of roles including as patients, facilitators, evaluators, and patient controllers. Some of the HOSA students participated with an MRC volunteer serving as a mentor. The MRC volunteers surprised other exercise participants on one day of the exercise by presenting as patients with access and functional needs. Exercise participants appreciated the realism this brought to the scenario.
Another example includes a POD exercise, part of a new partnership with the Marinez Veterans Hospital where MRC volunteers dispensed medication, filling a role that the hospital staff and medical staff do not have sufficient capacity for. CERT volunteers acted as patients.
Unit volunteers also took part in a Care and Shelter exercise stood up by Red Cross with MRC volunteers helping with the medical clinic within the shelter. These types of exercises are helping the Contra Costa MRC to both build and nurture relationships. The unit is working to create a formal MOU with Red Cross to outline how they would partner in a shelter response. There is also the potential to expand this partnership. This summer MRC volunteers will participate in the Red Cross’ Sound the Alarm initiative which raises awareness of home fire safety.
These are just some examples of how the unit actively collaborates with others in the region, including participation in the Association of Bay Area Health Officials group and work with other MRC chapters on things like trainings. Similarly, Contra Costa MRC will use its Operational Readiness Award through NACCHO to offer in-person ICS 100 and 200. This will serve as a refresher for some and enticement for others to take advantage of this in-person opportunity. The training will be open to regional partners and students from the local HOSA chapter.
“This ensures partners all receive the messages at the same time,” said Daniella Poy Wing, who provides clinical support for the unit.
Outside of these exercises, the units regularly hosts a variety of trainings for volunteers, offering free CEs to volunteers when possible.
“It’s another way to say thank you to our volunteers,” said Unit Leader Theresa Dade-Boone.
Trainings have included an immunization refresh, Basic Life Support, opioid overuse and prevention education, and psychological first aid.
The unit has also recently re-established an advisory group consisting of five MRC members. The group just drafted its bylaws.
“It’s a way to help them feel heard and participate,” said Dade-Boone.
With support from an Operational Readiness Award, the unit also developed a new life skills team. During National Volunteer Week the team of eight volunteers did hands-only CPR, AED, and Stop the Bleed training for community members. Volunteers will be sent out in groups of three to marginalized communities around the county to hold similar trainings.
