Youth Emergency Preparedness Outreach Initiative

About the Program

Category: Volunteers (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Macomb County Health Department Medical Reserve Corps Youth Emergency Preparedness Outreach Initiative began in fall 2014. The Initiative is comprised of a 40-minute presentation to fifth grade classrooms. This presentation includes a pre-presentation survey, an interactive PowerPoint presentation facilitated by a trained presenter, a demonstration emergency kit, a five-piece packet of educational materials for each student, and a post-presentation survey. Additional materials include teacher and presenter evaluation forms, and Certificates of Completion for each classroom. Evaluation of the efficacy of the presentation is done by comparison of pre- and post-presentation surveys. A partnership between Macomb County Health Department and the Oakland University School of Nursing was formed, and the youth preparedness program was integrated into the syllabus of one nursing course for the Fall 2014 and Winter 2015 semesters. Macomb County Health Department Medical Reserve Corp volunteers are also trained to provide presentations. Macomb County Health Department Medical Reserve Corp is a volunteer team housed within the Macomb County Health Department that supports the health department during emergency and non-emergency events. The team is comprised of volunteers from medical and non-medical backgrounds, and its members are trained to support the health department in its mission to “improve, promote, and protect the personal and environmental health of our residents and our communities.” The Macomb County Health Department Medical Reserve Corp currently has approximately 200 volunteers that have not only taken classroom training, but have also participated in exercises, drills and non-emergency events during the past three years.