July 2011

They say Tornados are very rare in New England. Well welcome to a rare event! One month after our Response to the Tornado in Springfield and as we prepare for National Preparedness Month in September, the City of Springfield Department of Health and Human Services wish to thank our medical professionals, medical reserve corps volunteers, emergency preparedness planning partners and our staff for their significant and injury saving services during the initial ten days following the disaster.

Staff from our office at 95 State Street immediately went over to the MassMutual Civic Center where police officers were directing downtown and south end residents to go in the aftermath and warnings of more tornadoes expected. Our Boss Helen Caulton Harris gave the word and we immediately "camped out" at MassMutual Civic Center then on to Central High School and eventually back to MassMutual Civic Center.

Staff went among the folk at MassMutual introducing themselves and letting the residents know that we will be available and of assistance to them and for the next ten days and nights we were there for and with our residents. We deployed and scheduled our Springfield Medical Reserve Corps by email, land-line, and fax. We called Ruth Odgen at Baystate Visiting Nurse Association; other community partners; and Jan Denny from Elder Affairs was on the scene, as was Bill Miller and his staff. Dr. Andrew Balder (the City's Public Health Luminary) was in touch with his colleagues at Baystate Medical Center enlisting their aide as volunteers. Michael Nelson (Northampton MRC) informed us that he had been asked to reach out for volunteers to staff the shelter and thankfully he did just that.

Coincidentally, we were completing the last MRC core competency training for our bilingual volunteers from the Latino Chaplains as the Tornado blew through downtown State Street. They jumped right in some volunteering at the shelter and others available when needed to open "Cooling Centers" for the Elderly. It was providential in that they brought bilingual communication skills to assist many of our shelter guests.

For the next 10 days (during our watch) volunteers in and outside the city and Health Department staff were at the shelter day and night.  Additional staff continued to partner with the American Red Cross throughout the month of June until the shelter was deactivated and closed on June 30th at 5 P.M.

Immediate care was given to wounds and trauma from tornado. We provided first aid and supplies, equipment for taking temperatures, weights, blood pressure, blood glucose, pregnancy tests, infant formula, milk, supplied and gave insulin as needed. We were a source for needed wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, underwear, socks, diapers, comfort kits and in one instant a durable bed.  Services later transitioned to phase two of delivering health maintenance/prevention and infection control.  Staff set up transportation services for residents needing prescriptions and refills, specialist and laboratory appointments, trips to their medical homes for on-going care, families to the YMCA for swimming and diversion therapy.

Giving individuals "thanks" is always dicey however, we would like to try and here goes:  Ann Marie O'Keefe, RN; Halimah Fennell; James Stewart, MD; Ms. Stewart; Michele Beaudoin, RN; Barry Rodstein, MD; Glenn Alli, MD; Isabel Pellot; Martha Nathan, MD; Marisol Rivera, Mely Martinez; Ivelisse Bonafont; Kate Kelly - Amherst MRC; Ed Mello, RN;-(Wesfield MRC); Brenda Collins, FNP; Maureen Morrissey, Linda Franklin; Nellie Candelario; Tony Pettaway, Xu Tran, Christina Benjamin, MD; Kevin Loosemore, Stephanie Bozigian-Merrick, RN;-(Holyoke MRC); Ayesha Ali, RN; Erika Koske; Barbara Kirk, NP; Maryann Marshman; Gloria Wilson, RN; Samantha Peetros, Miguel Rodriguez, Steve Formica, Artis Fitch, MD; Dawn Kinney, Amiee Lewis, Kathy Ruelli, RN; Betty Kinney, RN; Peggy Bugole, RN; Cassie Witek, Denise Cox, June Drexler, Marie E. Sanchez, Ann Becker, RN-(UMass MRC); Marc Tremblay, Sister Julie Crane, RN; Megan Bagby, Ruben Santiago, Megan Dolan, Brendon Kelly, MD; Barbara Coughlin, RN; Michael Germain, MD; Katie O'Meara, RN; Dennis Soloe; Don Snyder; Linda Barrett; Roberk Klupa; Ronny Sanchez, Tom Grimsly; Dr. Armstrong; Dr. Piel; Melissa Novak, PA; Nick Karapasas, DC; Juan Torres-Calafell; Sandra Johnson, RN; Terry Cook; Steven Samuels, MD; Della D'Antonio, David Miller, MD; Beth Van Ness; Gail Labelle; Susan Harp, MD; Siobhan McNally.

Our community is indebted to you and stronger because of you. THANK YOU.

Bettye Anderson-Frederic, Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator

New Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers successfully completed their core competency training and was welcomed into the cadre with a badging and certification ceremony.

Thank you all MRC Volunteers new and old who continue to answe the call when public heatlh emergencies occur.

The community is indebted to you for your constancy and invaluable service to your neighbors.