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Health & Fitness

Prepare Yourself; Prepare Bucks County

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to help people during a disaster and committing valuable time in attending trainings such as disaster preparedness, psychological first aid, CPR/First Aid?

The Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps (BC-MRC) provides opportunities for medical and non-medical committed volunteers to be trained in disaster and public health preparedness. BC-MRC is located at the Bucks County Department of Health and is coordinated by Suzanne Hecker, MPH, CPH.

According to www.BucksCounty.org, “recent, major events within the US, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, have highlighted the need for medical, public health, and non-medical volunteers to aid their communities in preparing for and responding to emergencies.”

A person does not need to be a medical professional to assist in an emergency. Volunteers involved in the BC-MRC come from a wide variety of professions and are involved in the organization’s events and trainings as well as other activities to enrich their knowledge on disaster preparedness and public health.

Volunteer Barbara Goppold, a pharmacist, describes her experience as a member of the BC-MRC. “I have been in the MRC about 5 years as well as the Leadership Committee. We started with emergency preparedness after 9/11/2001, have moved to a more involved role in public health.”

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Not only do BC-MRC volunteers take part in trainings; members have the opportunity to assist in the Annual Bucks County Flu Drills. Some volunteers have been choosen for leadership roles to monitor personnel during the drill.

“I have participated in flu drills every year, and have taken on a leadership position in a few of them,” says Goppold. 

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Nancy Lewis, an accounting manager for Magellan Health Services in Newtown, is a fully trained volunteer and member of BC-MRC and its Leadership Committee. She commits her time to being a volunteer of the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Counsel, through her involvement with the BC-MRC.

So far you have read volunteer testimonials about their involvement in this dynamic organization related to disaster and public health preparedness. What does this mean to you as fellow residents of Bucks County?

"I see public involvement as vital for disaster preparedness particularly at the county level," says Lewis. "In the case of a real public emergency, trained and knowledgeable public volunteers would efficiently enhance the ability of local, county, state and federal workers to assist.  Who better than members of the community who know their locality and people to help themselves?”

When will you act to call or email the BC-MRC office to learn more about becoming a volunteer? The time is now.

Join the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps and help Bucks County become prepared for a disaster.

Remember this equation:
one voice + one helping hand = making a difference in the public health community.

BC-MRC contact information:

Suzanne Redington, MPH, CPH
215-345-3321
HDbcmrc@co.bucks.pa.us
1282 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA 18901

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