This report is a summary of the key themes and results of the various feedback activities from the Member Forum.

To download the report, click here.

As part of their ongoing efforts to keep our country and communities safe during emergencies, the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring the nation is prepared for all hazards, and that the U.S. public can receive critical and vital information, should it ever be needed.  The first nationwide test will be conducted Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. ET.  This test may last up to three and a half minutes, and will be transmitted via television and radio stations within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Similar to local emergency alert system tests, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.” When the test is over, regular programming will resume.  For more information about the nationwide Emergency Alert System test, please visit http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407 and www.FCC.gov.   On November 9 at 2 p.m. EDT, please remember: Don’t stress; it’s only a test.

We are very proud of our members, especially when we are able to bridge our skilled members who are eager to be involved in the community with opportunities such as this one!

Through MRC Los Angeles, I recently had the privilege of going out into our community to use my skills gained through MRC Los Angeles to raise awareness of disaster preparedness. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s new campaign called ‘Connect, Prepare, Respond’ took to major culturally diverse events held throughout the summer months in Los Angeles County and distributed tens of thousands of informational brochures on how to prepare a typical household for an emergency. As ambassadors, our primary function was to gain the attention of local members in the community and draw attention to their need to safeguard the health and safety of their families during a disaster. With an emergency kit on display, we were able to demonstrate tools, communication devices, non-perishable food and water, and hygiene supplies which would serve to meet a family’s basic needs for 3 days without gas, power, or running water.

This opportunity gave me a chance to reach out to individuals and share my valuable knowledge of emergency response gained through MRC Los Angeles. I was pleased to find that the majority of the general public who we encountered were very interested in our outreach and had a positive attitude towards the suggestion of being prepared. Many had already done some preparation and were very receptive to our message.

This experience has reinforced my belief that we, as members of MRC, are valuable assets to our community because of our willingness to be proactive during calm times and willingness to assist during times of need.

~ Brenda Gascon, Active Member of MRC Los Angeles

The Medical Reserve Corps – Helping a Nation Heal

To the men and women of the Medical Reserve Corps:

As medical professionals, we know that healing can take time.  As America and the world prepare to mark the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country, we remember September 11, 2001, with many emotions: sadness for the families of the more than 3,000 people who lost their lives that day and admiration for the heroes who provided aid and comfort to the victims. 

As Assistant Secretary for Health and as U.S. Surgeon General, we reflect with pride that members of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps served as some of the most important responders to the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City. Furthermore, the USPHS helped to ensure the health and safety of rescue workers and the general public during the anthrax incidents in the weeks that followed.      

We also note that these tragic events brought national attention to the need for the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).  Initiated as a demonstration project early in 2002, the MRC now represents a nationwide network of local groups of volunteers committed to improving the health, safety and resiliency of their communities. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as others interested in strengthening the public health infrastructure and improving the preparedness and response capabilities of their local jurisdictions.

Today, the MRC is a force that has more than 200,000 volunteers in more than 950 community-based units across the nation.

Those of you who serve our country in this capacity now spend a significant amount of time planning and preparing for disasters as diverse as hurricanes, floods, bioterrorism attacks, pandemics, dirty bombs and more. Many of you were recently deployed to the East Coast to assist with Hurricane Irene response efforts.  During other recent disasters, such as the BP oil spill, floods in the Midwest and tornadoes in the Southeast, you have proven your commitment to the people of the United States.

Many of you have left your families and traveled to faraway places to set up clinics in devastated areas in order to meet the basic health needs of underserved and vulnerable populations. You have worked with community partners to provide medical, dental, vision, mental health, pharmacy, nursing and veterinary care to all who come. You have succeeded in doing all of this with kindness, friendship and a true sense of joy and camaraderie.

As we approach this solemn 10-year anniversary, President Obama is calling for Americans to “honor the victims of 9/11 and to reaffirm the strength of our nation with acts of service.” We thank you for exemplifying that spirit through your dedication and commitment to helping those in need.  Each and every one of you reflects what is best in America!

Thank you for your extraordinary gift to our country and for helping us heal.

Sincerely,

Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H.

Assistant Secretary for Health

Regina M. Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A.

U.S. Surgeon General

The impact of severe influenza during pregnancy on mother and infant/fetus emphasizes the importance of influenza vaccination, U.S. health officials say.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic from April 15, 2009 to Aug. 10, 2010, the CDC received reports of 278 pregnant/post-partum women who were admitted to the intensive care unit and survived.

Eighty-four of the pregnant/post-partum women died.

“Infants born during their mother’s hospitalization from severe influenza illness were more likely to be born preterm and of lower birth weight than the general population, and infants born after their mothers had been discharged were more likely to be small for gestational age and of lower birth weight,” the report says. ” Consistent with earlier reports, pregnant women receiving prompt treatment with recommended anti-viral medications were less likely to die than those treated later.”

(video courtesy of Prepare2Respond.org and YouTube)

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake rumbled across the Los Angeles region but there are no early reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey syas the quake hit around 1:47 p.m. Thursday and was centered 24 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.  It was initially estimated at 4.1.

The quake was felt widely across Los Angeles County. CBS station KCBS Los Angeles reported that rumbling was felt as far as Hollywood, Malibu and part of downtown Los Angeles.  It added that it was followed three minutes later by a magnitude 2.0 aftershock centered four miles north of San Fernando.

County Fire Department Inspector matt Levesque says there does not appear to be any damage.

The time is now to Prepare 2 Respond.    Find more information on how you and your community can prepare at www.prepare2respond.org. 

We’ve just completed a brand-new update of the MRC Los Angeles website.

We’ve moved some things around and removed some stuff to make room for some new and exciting features. Go on, explore and take a look around and enjoy the newly revamped site!

LA County Department of Public Health Advisory, dtd. 03.15.11 

LA County Department of Public Health Advisory

LA County Department of Public Health Advisory UPDATED, dtd. 03.18.11

A New Take on an Old Story — This Time as Told by Our MRC Volunteers!

Twas the night before clinics and all through the town,
Health departments were aiming to shut the flu down.
Vaccinations were stored in a fridge with great care
In the hopes that our residents soon would be there.

On FluZone! On flu mist! Let’s fight influenza!
Pile the hand sanitizer atop the credenza
Tell all the good people, “Stay home when you’re sick!
You want to be healthy to greet Old St. Nick.”

So into each clinic they entered with glee.
Those folks were all welcomed by our MRC.
Volunteers came out to these sites with a clatter,
Because Public Health was on top of this matter.

Thousands of residents came for their shot,
As MRC membership helped them a lot.
So we heard them exclaim As they left with delight,
“Happy New Year To All, Glad our health is all right!