Lake County Public Health Department took the opportunity to prepare for something bigger by incorporating disaster-preparedness training into its recent flu shot clinics. Linda Fraser, health education program coordinator with Lake County Public Health, reported that the training satisfied a mandate from the state department of public health in preparing for pandemic emergency.
According to Fraser, medical personnel expected seeing approximately 1,500 people or more at its Clearlake flu shot clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 7. She said personnel expected a similar turnout at its Lakeport clinic, which was scheduled for the following day. The high turnout rates provided ideal opportunities to incorporate disaster-preparedness training into the events.
“In case of an epidemic we need to be able to give everyone in Lake County an injection within 48 hours,” Fraser explained, adding that mock settings also serve as training operations. “In this instance, we actually get to do the injection.”
Serving the event were nine nurses, three of which are Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. “They are medical personnel willing to be trained and called out for things like this,” said Fraser. “We have to rely on that kind of help in case of a pandemic.”
Recruitment for Medical Reserve Corps volunteers began in June. Twenty-five volunteers, two of which are physicians, have been recruited thanks to the efforts of All Hazards Coordinator Steve Finch. “He”s done a great job getting the medical community involved in this,” Fraser commended.
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers represent a diverse mixture of expertise and professional experience. They undergo continuous training in preparing for mass dispensary in the case of a pandemic emergency. Recently volunteers participated in a “Rough and Ready” training event in which they erected and operated a mobile field hospital.
According to Fraser, running the larger flu shot clinics in conjunction with the emergency training was beneficial not only to the volunteers but also the patients. “Many of the patients commented on how easy the flow was,” she said.
Fraser added that it also gave the medical representatives an opportunity to inform the voting community of the financial obstacles faced in light of recent funding cuts at the state level.
“There was a 10 percent decrease in grant funding this year,” Fraser stated. “It”s hard to keep these programs running without the funding.”
If you are a member of the medical community and would like to volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps, please contact program coordinator Steve Finch at the Lake County Department of Public Health at 263-1090 or 994-9433 for more information.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com. Comment on this story and others at www.record-bee.com/observer.
