MRC GEM

MRC GEM members helped with the MD, RN, and non-medical needs of the Lawrenceville, GA Gustav evacuee shelter. Members remain on standby to provide additional assistance if needed both for Gustav victims and for those who might be displaced by Hanna.

MRC GEM members may be called upon to help with shelter staffing as Georgia prepares to receive what may be as many as 10,000 evacuees forced out of their homes by Hurricane Gustav.

On August 16 2008, over 20 students and graduates from Gwinnett Technical College’s Medical Assisting Program attended a presentation given by, MRC GEM Executive Director Sherwin Levinson (Executive Director)and VP of Operations Tony Varamo (VP Operations)on Federal, state and local organizations available to assist with emergency preparedness.

Mmmm, summer! Those long, sunny days, with plenty of time for relaxing at the lake or pool, catching up on your "honey-do" list around the house, traveling, or pursuing educational opportunities. Here's what your MRC GEM unit has been up to this summer:

Speaking to a congressional panel, the chief medical officer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned:

the risk of a large-scale biological attack on the Nation is significant. We know that our terrorist enemies have sought to use biological agents as instruments of their warfare, and we believe that capability is within their reach.

On June 30, Knox County Health Department tested the concept of a drive-through POD in a simulated anthrax exposure exercise. As part of the exercise, East Tennessee Regional Health Department set up a dispensing operation in a high school gym. Local SNS plans and hospital surveillance systems were also tested. See the Knoxville News Sentinel for more details.

A total of 23 members completed our online survey. Results show that we're doing many things right. For example, almost 80% like Saturday mornings for training and exercises. But members would like to see us become more active in the community, providing first aid stations and information booths at festivals, health fairs, and other events. Please click here for full results.

Make a $100 donation to your favorite charity without spending a dime! Please consider participating and having SunTrust donate $100 to MRC GEM (or another charity). We just received the donation from opening our own business checking account. This really works!