You can make a difference during a disaster by Volunteering!

How can you Help?

During a disaster there could be an immediate need for additional healthcare providers.  In the past good-hearted volunteers often self-deployed by simply showing up filling gaps.  However, most healthcare facilities or agencies cannot accept walk-up volunteers anymore because of liability and credentialing concerns. In the heat of the moment healthcare facilities do not have the time to perform background or license verification checks so they may have to turn away much needed help.

How can you help?

Consider taking a few minutes to register with the Michigan Volunteer Registry at:  www.mivolunteerregistry.org

This system performs all the necessary checks so healthcare volunteers are immediately available to help during a disaster in our community.  The registration process only takes a few minutes but the value to our community is...priceless!

Service Opportunities in the U.P.

Here are some ways you can volunteer in the Upper Peninsula:

1) Register with the Michigan Volunteer Registry as a healthcare professional if you are willing to consider deployment during a disaster.  You can opt for availability to local emergencies only or you can opt to be available for deployments anywhere in Michigan or nationally.  Remember, when you register you are not committing to deploying during a disaster.  During an emergency you will be asked if you are available for deployment based on your preference (local, State, or national). If you are not available you are not obligated to deploy.

2) Consider joining a Medical Reserve Corps group in the Upper Peninsula.  These groups regularly train together in order to increase their capacity to respond to disasters.  You can find more information on MRCs at: www.medicalreservecorps.gov

3) Join the Region 8 Mobile Medical Field Team (MMFT).  This group is organized to provide specific medical support to hospitals during a disaster. The group is made up of a Physician, Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice
Nurse, six Registered Nurses, a Respiratory Therapist, and two Paramedics or EMTs. This team can deploy rapidly to help alleviate critical healthcare staffing issues during a disaster.

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