# Presentation: 162358

## INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATION: PARTNERING FOR SUSTAINABILITY

## Integrated Team Structure

**Notes:**
The integrated team structure is the model idea that carries through to the concept of an integrated MRC.

## Integrated MRC Structure

**Integrated MRC Structure**

**Notes:**
So many of the MRCs are heavy on the integration into the public health structure that they are missing out on opportunities to strengthen their sustainability through other organizations and angencies.

## Benefits of Partnering With Local Health Dept.

- Potential source of funds
- Integration in Strategic National Stockpile Plans
- Training Opportunities
- Real life opportunities (i.e. immunization and flu clinics, public health outreach, etc)
- May be best option for sustainable staff and funding

## Where to Begin with LHD

- SNS Plan
- Community/Public Health Nursing Program

## SNS Plan

- MRC staff provides surge capacity
- Provides trained leadership
- Already background checked
- Mutually beneficial training opportunities

## Community/ Public Health Nursing Program

- Immunization Clinics
- Flu Clinics
- Public Health Education
- Health Dept. staffing assistance

## Benefits of Partnering With ESDA/EMA

- Some liability during declared disasters
- Worker’s comp
- Training opportunities
- Working within existing disaster plans
- Have been utilizing volunteers for years

## Where to Begin With ESDA/EMA

- Emergency Operating Plan
- Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)
- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

## County Wide Emergency Operating Plans: Why?

- Large scale training opportunities
- Train and work with existing services and agencies
- Become a valuable part of emergency response plan
- Name recognition

## County Wide Emergency Operating Plans: What to Do

- Contact local ESDA Director ASAP
- Get on-book with existing plans
- Try to fill an existing need within plan (volunteers, surge capacity, spontaneous volunteers liaison)

## Local Emergency Planning Committees : Why?

- Work with a variety of Emergency Disaster Personnel
- Involvement in Disaster Plans firsthand
- Name recognition
- Some LEPCs are Citizen Corps Councils

## Community Emergency Response Teams: Why?

- Sister program
- Unique cross-training opportunity
- Chance to strengthen volunteer programs (presents a united front)
- Opportunity for both teams to work together in training (strengthens disaster preparedness bond)
- Great opportunity for non-medical volunteers to participate/train

**Notes:**
Cross training will only make people more versatile in an emergency situation. The chance to learn things they THINK they already know will strengthen preparedness.

## LEPC and CERT: What to Do?

- Ask ESDA/EMA Coordinator about programs
- Ask to be on LEPC
- Check Citizen’s Corps Council about CERT
- Speak with CERT trainers about cross training MRC
- Become a CERT trainer if no CERT is available in area

## Benefits of Partnering with EMS

- Advantage of experienced emergency response (learning tool)
- Work within the system of emergency response
- Ability to train and be recognized by existing EMS services
- Create another avenue for everyone to be working off of the “same page”

**Notes:**
While it can be difficult to penetrate the arena of existing EMS, with funding decreasing for those services as well, many departments rely heavily on volunteers for a variety of services.  Once EMS understands what can be offerend through programs such as MRC and CERT, and know that the programs are not there to usurp their existing position, the two can work together in many cases.  This can take a lot of finesse!  But it is worth it in the end!  

## How to get involved with EMS	

- Volunteer for firefighter rehab duties
- Offer assistance at community events
- Partner to provide education at schools (re: fire safety week, first aid, etc.)
- Provide other secondary services during an emergency (i.e. child care for volunteer EMS)
- Open a dialogue for cross training for preparedness of large scale events

**Notes:**
In many smaller areas where firefighters tend to be volunteers, the rehab duties (keeping firefighters’ vitals checked, providing re-hydration, etc.) is often provided by volunteers (in our community, many family members provide this service.)  This is an ideal way for an MRC to get involved with EMS.

## Other Agency Partners:  The Example of a Mental Health Department

- Provide a needed disaster relief service
- Flexibility during said disaster
- Worked into a structure and protocol
- Easily credentialed and background checked
- Provide a office that is not otherwise obligated during a real disaster

**Notes:**
IN our community, the mental health department has been overlooked within the disaster preparedness frameworks.  There was no protocol for them to be used AT ALL during the event of a disaster.  As a result, by bringing the entire office in the MRC, they became a usable part of the disaster preparedness plan.  In addition, because they were not otherwise obligated, their entire office SPACE is also usable.  Of course, they brought in a wealth of knowledge and training opportunities as well!

## Benefits of Partnering with Other Agencies

- Unique opportunities for partnering
- New training opportunities
- Another level of interdependence
- New potential pool of membership

## Benefits of Partnering with Other Groups/ Organizations

- Recognition, recognition, recognition!
- Lots of service opportunities
- Chance for recruiting new members
- Great place to get volunteers for disaster drills to act as victims!
- Potential for private donation of funding

**Notes:**
There are two big issues that face the sustainability of any volunteer group: that it has some sort of benefit of belonging and that it is not boring.  A great way to create both of these situations to your advantage is to make your MRC well known, even expected at various events.  This creates prestige, which is a benefit to those who belong.  And, if volunteers have some place to go to be involved, then they aren’t bored!

## Potential Partners

- Churches
- Volunteer Organizations (Red Cross, RSVP, Volunteer Firefighters Assoc.)
- Service Organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club)
- Community Organizations (MOPS, Chamber of Commerce, Festival Committees)

## Examples of Potential Partner Events

- Church Events (revivals, Vacation Bible School)
- Festivals
- Parades
- Community Events (i.e. public concerts, charity walks/runs, etc.)
- Closed events (scout camp, conferences, lectures)

## How does this kind of integration help my MRC stay alive?

- Funding
- Dependence/ interdependence
- Happier volunteer base
-  Credibility
- Expectation by the public
- Fulfilling an existing need by EMS and Emergency Preparedness folk

## How does this integrated model really look?

## Kim HunterMRC CoordinatorDouglas County, Illinois1250 E US Hwy 36Tuscola, IL 61953217-253-4137mrcdouglascounty@netcare-il.com

**Questions?**