Missouri News: Disasters Call for Heroes - Answer the Call

February 1, 2009 4:11 pm Topics: Disaster response

Published in the February 2009 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism, announced the December 1, 2008 activation of Show-Me Response, (www.ShowMeResponse.org), an online registration program for health care professionals who are interested in volunteering in the event of a natural disaster or other large-scale public health crisis in Missouri. During a public emergency, health care volunteers are essential to help coordinate and deliver services for medical assessment, medication dispensing, immunization, counseling, special needs sheltering, and more.

When volunteers register for Show-Me Response, they make themselves available for contact in the event of a disaster should their area of expertise be needed. Once contacted, each volunteer will be able to choose the type and level of participation. The system is safe and secure, and any information a volunteer provides will be privacy protected.

Show-Me Response will collect and check licensing and credential information so data can be readily available for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services staff to assist in the notification and activation of qualified medical volunteers. Health care professionals can register as volunteers on the Show-Me Response Web site at www.ShowMeResponse.org.

“Disasters begin and end locally, and trained and prepared volunteers play a key role in responding to a crisis,” said Mike Sampson, director of the Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism. “Volunteers on the local level can help provide an immediate and effective response. Any disaster typically involves health concerns, increasing the need for trained volunteers.”