The Clinton County Health Department is wanting the community to know that they are ready for volunteers to deploy and operate First Aid care through their Medical Reserve Corps backpacks in case a disaster were to occur in the county.
“This idea came about when the backpacks were first purchased,” said Clinton County Health Department Preparedness Coordinator Tania Sotelo. “We were planning to put medical equipment on them and it took awhile until now.”
The main reason for this was the department received a grant to help them purchase 40 backpacks and 45 fanny packs and fill them with medical supplies in case of a disaster.
“I had the task to look at a previous list and select items that would be perfect for these backpacks,” said Sotelo.
Medical items in the backpacks are N95 respiratory masks, LED flash light, first aid kit, triag tags, hazard bags, medical goggles, CPR barrior mask, clothing kit, emergency blanket, pancho, work gloves, ducktape, hemostat pouch, instant cold compress kits, hand sanitizer, burn spray, eyewash and water.
Items in the fanny packs are EMT scissors, reusable penlight, CPR barrior mask, nitrile gloves, hazard bags, wire splint, tranagualar bandage, adhesive compress, knuckle and finger, emergency blanket, pancho, gauze bandages, antimicrobial towlette, wrapped light stick and water.
“There is preparedness training that they (individuals) will have to go through so they know what’s in the backpack and how to provide and use the equipment,” said Sotelo. “They can sign up to the Medical Reserve Corps. As soon as they are signed up and on our list, we can contact them and give them proper training. When an incident comes up they are then prepared to deploy wherever they are needed in the county.”
Public Health nurse Anne McCune said a lot of times those individuals would be sent to incidents such as a tornado, big fire or earthquake.
“Something where would be multiple injuries going on or where 100 people or more that would need help,” said McCune. “They would have the equipment to go out to do first aid and give them the appropriate care.”
Sotelo said people interested in receiving training can go to www.SERV-IN. org or they can call the Health Department at 765-659-6385.