Over the past couple months I have been talking with people in the fire services about the MRC.  Specifically I've been trying to improve our collaboration with them for cross-training, to help with exercises, and to provide assistance during an actual response.

The first group I talked with was a Fire Chaplain group.  This group looks at the mental health side of fires.  They are looking for resources who would be available to talk with firefighters or victims after a fire.  Just providing emotional support to people during a difficult time.

The second group I talked with was the West Peoria Fire Department.  I talked with them about cross-training with them during their meetings (which are held on wednesday evenings and sundays).  I also talked about assisting them and playing with them in their exercises.  I also brought up that we have volunteers who could assist in an actual response with simple things such as traffic control all the way up to pre/post medical screenings for their firefighters.

Both of these groups seemed very receptive to working with the MRC so in the future more information will be coming down to members about collaboration with these groups!

Months ago during our monthly MRC meeting we talked about having a MRC blitz to get the word out to the community about who we are and what we do.  We also talked about holding a tornado response exercise so that member can utilize the skills they've learned.  I know that recently I haven't said much regarding these events but that doesn't mean they've been forgotten!

Unforunately it just is not possible for us to conduct a tornado exercise.  We required the assistance of the CERT manager to set this up and he has been unavialable to assist us.  So the decision was made to combine the two events into one.  So what will occur is the following:

Sometime in September we will have a Barbque to honor members of the MRC for all their efforts.  At this event members are urged to bring with them a person from the first responder community (police, fire, EMS) or an elected official.  We will have food for everyone and hopefully give member the opprotunity to tell our community partners that we are here, ready, and willing to help in a disaster!

The MRC will provide the main course however we will be asking members to bring snacks, drinks, condiments, and dessert.  Please signify in the poll below which date is best for you.

Health Department staff is requesting assistance from the MRC in back to school clinics this year.  The clinics will be held here at the Peoria Health Department and four MRC members are requested for each clinic.  Here are the dates and times:

Friday, July 29th, 9-11 am

Tuesday, August 2nd, 4-6 pm

Friday, August 5th, 9-11 am

Tuesday, August 9th 4-6pm

Friday, August 12th, 9-11

There are three positions MRC members will fill.  They are:

1. Traffic control: determine clients are here for the Immunization Clinic; direct clients to the clinic area; and may need to direct clients to a waiting area.
2. Hand out paperwork and assess need for services: review school recommendations for grade levels, answer client questions, and hand out appropriate vaccine information forms.
3. Runners: direct clients to appropriate rooms, make copies, check traffic control

Members interested in assisting in any (or all???) of these clinics please Contact Us.