The Board of Health is looking for healthcare professionals to staff a dispensing site in case of a health emergency. In a quick emergency preparedness update at the health board’s Sept. 9 meeting, Ken Gikas of the Region II Emergency Preparedness Coalition of the Massachusetts Health Department offered the board additional funds to send out a brochure to encourage residents to staff an official Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) in Harvard. But he learned for the first time that the board had never received the original funds due in August 2007 to cover mailer costs.
In July of 2007 Gikas told the board that, in case of a health emergency, and with a population of approximately 6,000 residents, Harvard should have a minimum of two professionals vaccinating or medicating 80 percent of the population within two days while operating on 12-hour shifts. Only two residents have signed up, however.
“It’s a start,” said a resolute Gikas. “People don’t want to volunteer—they don’t have time. My feeling is that if something happens, they’ll come out of the woodwork.”
The decentralized Health and Homeland Alert Network (HHAN) requires that every town be self-sufficient, while being integrated into the nationwide response plan. With guidance from the Worcester Regional Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), the board is assigned to seek volunteers to staff the EDS. The MRC has identified 190 professionals in town, including doctors, nurses, chiropractors, mental health professionals, pharmacists, dentists, and EMTs. Those who step up will be trained to respond to any type of health disaster. Also sought are residents who can interpret, or serve as chaplains, office staff, and legal advisors. For every medical professional, three support staff and relief people are also needed.
Handing over a thick binder containing a local resources listing, regional map, activation policy, and emergency preparedness plan in both written and CD form, Gikas asked the board to make copies for the police and fire departments.
He concluded his 10-minute discussion by saying that he would check into obtaining the missing funds for the mailer to Harvard residents.
