Disaster Planning/MRC/CERT | Woodford County Health Department

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(Disaster Preparedness information links are located at the bottom of this page. The information on the links will help you and your family plan for emergencies)

MRC/CERT

MISSION: Strengthen community response to disasters through the development of a Medical Meserve Corps (MRC) composed of community volunteers, including health professionals and support staff, trained to support emergency agencies to protect the health and safety of the public in time of disaster. MRC have the opportunity to promote public health priorities in non-disaster time.

Vision: The Woodford County Health Department MRC will be a widely recognized and respected community resource.

CERT Training Pictures

Fire Safety Training

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Search & Rescue Training

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Disaster Medical and Search & Rescue Training

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MRC/CERT

The Woodford County Health Department Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) are volunteers trained to help in an emergency. The unit started in 2003, after an ice storm left the community without power for seven (7) days. During that time manpower for staffing a shelter, including assisting individuals with functional needs was minimal. The health department and emergency management work together on the MRC initiative. The MRC are recognized in the county emergency operations plan as a community asset and assigned response roles. The unit is housed in the health department. It has adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The unit is trained in Incident Command and recognized by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General on the National Website: www.medicalreservecorps.gov

The MRC is for individuals with medical and non-medical backgrounds. The volunteer must be 18 years or older. Non-medical volunteers will fill support roles in time of need. MRC volunteers may be activated to assist the health department or other emergency response agencies. MRC are trained to staff a Point of Dispensing (POD) clinic. They are also trained to support the receipt and distribution of emergency supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile/ . Examples of when volunteers may be needed include: Severe weather (earthquake, tornado, ice storm, flooding), pandemic flu event, a community-wide mass medication clinic for the public to receive antibiotics or vaccine in a short time span.

Potential volunteers should register in the Kentucky Department for Public Health Database (KHELPS) as a medical or non-medical MRC. https://khelps.chfs.ky.gov . The Woodford County Unit Coordinator has access to information in the database of volunteers that live in Woodford County. A criminal record check is required on all volunteers. It is done by the KY State Police. For additional information contact Sarah Cunliffe, Woodford County MRC Unit Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 859-873-4541.

To view the Team Handbook follow the link below:

MRC Handbook

Volunteers Have the Opportunity to Train in CERT

What is CERT?

The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact the area and trains the volunteer in basic disaster response skills: fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT trainers include Woodford County Emergency Management, Woodford County Emergency Medical Services and the Versailles Fire Department. The volunteer will learn how to use the classroom training to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in the community. For additional information on CERT contact Woodford County Emergency Management (859-873-3170) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

How does CERT benefit the community?

People who go through CERT Training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their immediate area until help arrives. When help does arrive, CERTs provide useful information to responders and support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site.

Why take the CERT Training?

Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there can be an emergency or disaster that can overwhelm the community's immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, State and Federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need them. The primary reason for CERT Training is to give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates while waiting for help. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT Program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

Woodford County CERT Class Content (Includes MRC Training)

1. Disaster Preparedness / Incident Command

2. Fire Safety

3. Disaster Medical I

4. Disaster Medical II

5. Search & Rescue

6. Disaster Psychology / Communications

7. Terrorism / Weapons of Mass Destruction

8. Disaster Simulation

9. Intro to Large Scale Clinics / Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) & Intro to National Incident Management System (NIMS)

10. MRC Standing Operating Guidelines & Team Recognition

Important Disaster Preparedness Information (Emergency Preparedness & Planning) for You and Your Family: http://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/