The 30 volunteers of the Three Rivers MRC in eastern Nebraska serve three counties. Among those volunteers are physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, a chaplain, an EMT, a firefighter, and a retired teacher.
In May of last year, an EF3 tornado with winds up to 165 mph cut a path one mile wide and stretching over 31 miles across two of the towns within the unit’s coverage area. Following the tornado, MRC volunteers supported fielding of a CASPER survey (Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency) in partnership with the University of Nebraska. This type of survey provides household-level information to public health leaders and emergency managers. Volunteers were active for three days, helping to survey residents of Washington County within a two-mile buffer of the storm track. MRC volunteers also helped pick up and deliver food in impacted areas.
Prior to assisting with the survey, volunteers completed a video training which covered the process, how to conduct the survey, and how to travel safely over areas with debris/rough terrain. Each morning volunteers were given a packet, assigned to a grid, and discussed the questions they would be asking. They also reviewed all the logistics like communications protocols, how they would check in during the day, and where the data they collected would be submitted.
MRC volunteers supported another CASPER survey this May to help assess how the community is doing one year after the tornado.
“MRC volunteers are helping provide boots on the ground, surveying grids affected by the tornado,” said Unit Leader Robert Ball. “Residents lost some or parts of their homes. Others who did not suffer property damage still feel the effects.”
As part of the survey, MRC volunteers talk to those impacted to understand how they feel and what their needs are. In this one-year post-tornado survey, volunteers learn what changes residents have experienced over time. Each interaction takes about 15 minutes. Volunteers are sent out in teams of two to three, typically including an MRC volunteer, a health department staff member, and sometimes a local resident.
“Mental health is a big issue,” said Ball. “What are the lasting or longer-term effects of the disaster?”
Outside of this tornado response, the unit builds connections both internally and with the community. At the end of April, unit volunteers assisted with a disaster preparedness fair hosted by a tri-county long-term recovery group.
Three Rivers MRC has partnered with the Red Cross on CPR training. At a recent quarterly meeting, the unit hosted a Stop the Bleed training, which was open to staff from the fire department, emergency management, and law enforcement in addition to MRC volunteers.
The unit has plans to grow this year and is surveying members to ask about training interests to tailor activities to volunteer needs.
“Many people think MRC is utilized in disasters,” said Ball. “While volunteers do support disaster response, they contribute so much more than that. Our volunteers are a diverse, community-minded group. They all have jobs and lives outside of the MRC. That they want to volunteer and their help to the community is invaluable.”
