Grant to enhance emergency response

BANGOR – The EMH Center for Emergency Preparedness has received a $48,000 grant to develop a system that will enhance existing local emergency medical response. The Northern Maine Medical Reserve Corps will respond to disaster situations and other public safety needs within a 50-mile radius of Bangor.

Although resources are already available through Eastern Maine Medical Center and through a well-established first responder system in Greater Bangor, officials said, local health care needs would be stretched in the event of a community-wide disaster.

The NMMRC will comprise nurses, physicians, technicians, EMS personnel and other health care professionals who are either currently employed, retired, otherwise employed or semi-retired. According to registered nurse Kathy Knight, director of the EMH Center for Emergency Preparedness, the team will take part in drills and various training and education programs.

“We have some terrific medical resources in this area. There are a lot of talented people who want to help but don’t have the opportunity,” she said.

The grant allows EMH to organize volunteers who have medical training and prepare them to help others during a disaster – and to stay safe doing it. These health care providers would volunteer their time much like physicians, nurses, MEC providers and others did during the terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington and Shanks-ville, Pa. on Sept. 11, 2001.

The challenge for the NMMRC is to organize these people to provide a service that fits the needs of the community at times of disaster. That could mean serving in shelters, schools or clinics.

The NMMRC also will contribute to the resolution of public health needs by participating in immunization clinics, educational programs and helping with scene-safety issues. To that end, officials will organize medical specialists to provide an array of services to first responders and others in a safe and effective manner at an area away from the actual disaster scene.

EMH recently received a $48,660 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science. The three-year, noncompetitive grant will result in additional awards of $50,000 each year for the next two years, based on the performance and progress of the NMMRC this year. According to Knight, it’s important that resources in the community be organized prior to an actual event.

“These folks don’t need to be specialized in emergency care, that’s the job of the first responders. This group needs to understand other areas of care and what might be needed by people in shelters or others who have otherwise been affected by disaster,” she said.

For information on volunteer opportunities with the NMMRC, call Kathy Knight at 973-8008.