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PANDEMIC ALERT LEVEL
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Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk

Do you have skills to volunteer?
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    Posted: February 20 2006 at 4:34pm

One of our members has put forth the suggestion that we need to think about stepping up and volunteering to help out our communities.

I know we addressed this early on, but we have more than doubled in size since then so I thought I would start a new thread on this issue.

Do you have a specialized skill-set that would be beneficial to your community during a pandemic?

Would you consider volunteering?  Would you care to share with us why or why not?

Any suggestions for who people should contact to volunteer during a pandemic?  Which agency?

SZ
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Points: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Teagen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2006 at 4:48pm

I can tell you that as the Emergency Coordinator for my community I am sure that most communities will be looking for volunteers.

Most of the emrgency sevices will be looking for volunteers and of course all the Non governement organizations like the Red Cross will also be looking for more volunteers.

My community will be holding our first Local Pandemic planning committe meeting in early March. I would have liked to hold it earlier but it was a fight to get our local politicians to see the need for a committee.

Anyway I would encourage anyone wanting to to contact their local representatives and volunteer.Do not be discouraged if they do not have a position for you as most are just starting to plan. I am sure they will put your name on a list and call you when they need you.


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Points: 126 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tansau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2006 at 8:11pm
I just completed eight-hours of coursework from American Red Cross and
re-certified on adult, child and infant CPR along with first-aid last week. If
possible, I'll be doing EMS-Basic this spring. I figure the more people we
have trained as first responders, the better.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2006 at 11:54am
Originally posted by SophiaZoe SophiaZoe wrote:

One of our members has put forth the suggestion that we need to think about stepping up and volunteering to help out our communities.

I know we addressed this early on, but we have more than doubled in size since then so I thought I would start a new thread on this issue.

Do you have a specialized skill-set that would be beneficial to your community during a pandemic?

Would you consider volunteering?  Would you care to share with us why or why not?

Any suggestions for who people should contact to volunteer during a pandemic?  Which agency?

SZ

Sophia,

I'd be willing to volunteer or help out in any way I could during a crisis. Although there'd a a limit as to what I'd do, for instance while I'd be willing to dig graves, I would not volunteer to pick up any bodies. I think that'd be putting myself needlessly at risk. I'd volunteer for security in my neighborhood, but I would not put myself purposely in harms way to help those that too lazy or those that refuse to help themselves.

I would be picky and choosy on the things I would do to help others, I no longer blindly follow someone elses orders.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2006 at 12:22pm

I think you make a valid point in stating why should you or I or them put their lives and health on the line for people who are too lazy and too asleep to prepare to take care of themselves.

There just aren't any easy answers no matter what angle you look at H5N1 pandemic issues.

BTW: It's good to see you again Retired... I've missed you.

SZ
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Points: 345 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calendula Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2006 at 12:29pm
I am planning on trying to stay helping online or phone---as long as it works-- to help people with basic questions about general health and natural remedies to fight off or prevent further illnesses while this BF is around.  I have 20 years experience in natural health ( a doctorate degree) and know quite a bit about plants, herbs, natural remedies that will do as well or better as prescribed medication.  I am also proficient in survival skills when you find yourself  out there in the middle of nowhere, and little resources.  I will be hapy to answer questions and provide education.
I am not here to reason, I am here to create"
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There are countless ways to volunteer in a crisis or a pandemic. Not all of them require specialized training, nor do they all involve high risk behavoir. 

Consider the following ideas:

People who are sick at home, or simply afraid to go out, may need OTC meds, food, water, etc.   Volunteers could certainly help deliver these items.  By doing so, infected individuals won't be forced out into public, which will only spread the disease. Delivered good could be left on the doorstep. No need to enter the home.

Ambulances, firetrucks, and rescue units may be `zoned out' during a pandemic. No, that doesn't mean they're hitting the valium, it means that during each shift the unit is strategically placed thru out the city or county.  This is commonly done during times of high call volume. But during a pandemic, it may be desirable to keep crews separated, to avoid cross infection.  These guys will be practically living in their units, parked, perhaps in your neighborhood. 

Restaurants will be closed.  They won't be able to cook at the station house. How about cooking a couple of casseroles each week, or making sandwiches, or thermos's of coffee for the guys on the front line?  Call them up and tell them they can swing by and get a meal.  No infection risk.  But you'd be doing something valuable.

Offer to let an ambulance park in your driveway. These guys will be sitting in their units for 12, 24, sometimes 48 hours at a time.  Give them access to your bathroom, a cold drink, or a meal. 

Pharmacies may need security personnel. Truck drivers may only feel safe if they have someone `riding shotgun'.   Even private ambulances and volunteer fire departments may feel the need for security personnel.  A bit risky, but for certain types with the right skills, this could be a way to serve.

Are you medically trained?  Nurse, nurses aid, R/T, medic . . .   Maybe you don't want to expose yourself in a hospital environment, but still want to help.   You might consider becoming your neighborhood `flu consultant'.  Offer to do home visits within walking distance of your home.  Check on people with the flu, teach families how to care for flu victims.  Even provide some patient care.  Dangerous? Perhaps, but with masks and gloves and using common sense, you can greatly reduce the risks.

Have kids?  How about offering to take in a single parent's kids while they go work on the front line?  Free up a nurse or a medic so they can work without worrying about who will care for their kids.

Are you mechanically inclined?   Ambulances, patrol cars, and fire trucks need constant maintenance.  Mechanics will be out with the flu, or afraid to report to work.  Maybe you could volunteer one or two days a week to help.

Neighborhood watch.  Civilian patrols in your neighborhood could mean the difference between group safety and anarchy.  Ring every doorbell once a day and check on your neighbors. 

Comms : If you are a Ham operator, or have CB, or FRS radio equipment, you could be a vital link in the communications chain. Never have to leave your home, but you can perform a service.

Nursing homes, hospitals, and flu receiving centers will need security personnel, housekeeping, and kitchen staff.  Not glamourous, but necessary.

The ability to keep the lights on, food and medicine moving, water & sewer services, medical care, and basic security will make the difference between this being a pandemic, and this turning into an apocalypse. 

If you can drive a truck, carry a box, dig a grave, watch a child, cook a meal, run a radio, responsibly carry a gun, or do any of a thousand other essential jobs, you can help in a pandemic.

There is no such thing as a zero risk.  Yep, you could be exposing yourself to the virus.  But you may find that all of your efforts to barricade yourself were futile if fire protection, security, or EMS efforts fail in your community. 

These guys can't do it alone.

Look around your community.  Find a problem and help solve it.  Heros come in all sizes and flavors. All it takes is recognizing that you can make a difference.
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