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(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman is asking Nebraska’s health care workers to respond to a call from federal officials for volunteer aid in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has begun taking names of health professionals and related personnel interested in providing assistance on the ground in the Gulf Coast area.
“Basic, lifesaving care and medical assistance is the most immediate need for many and I know our medical professionals are eager to do what they can to help,” Gov. Heineman said.
Due to the extraordinary need for medical assistance, federal officials have accelerated the available means for registering potential health care volunteers. This new and temporary registration process supersedes steps already in place for Nebraska health care providers to volunteer to assist in an emergency.
The Governor is asking that medical personnel available to travel to Gulf Coast states register online at https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov/ or call toll-free at 866-528-6334.
The federal call for medical assistance has been shared with professionals statewide via Nebraska’s Health Alert Network, and Dr. Joann Schaefer, Nebraska’s Chief Medical Officer, has been working with federal officials to accelerate volunteer coordination in recent days.
Volunteers with expertise in the following health care areas are encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to register to provide assistance:
• Administration & Finance Officers
• Chaplains & Social Workers
• Clinical Physicians
• Coroners
• Dentists
• Dental Forensics
• Dieticians
• EMTs & Paramedics
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiologists
• Facility Managers
• Housekeepers
• IT/Communications Officers
• Laboratory Technicians
• Medical Clerks
• Medical Examiners
• Morticians
• Mortuary Assistants
• Nursing Assistants & Nursing Support Technicians
• Nursing Staff Directors
• Patient Transport
• Pharmacists
• Physician’s Assistants
• Psychologists & Mental Health Practitioners
• Radiology Technicians
• RNs & LPNs
• Respiratory Therapists
• Safety & Security Officers
• Supply Managers
• Veterinarians
Individuals interested in volunteering as part of the coordinated federal response should be prepared to expect the following conditions, including: 12-hour shifts, long periods of standing, housing in tents with limited or no access to showers and air conditioning, bedroll sleep accommodations, and food supplies that may be limited to military meals ready to eat.
Medical volunteers will serve as non-paid, temporary federal employees, and will therefore be eligible for coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act for liability coverage and Worker’s Compensation while functioning as federal employees. Although no salary can be offered, travel and per diem will be offered.
The Governor and Dr. Schaefer also are urging Nebraska health care professionals to consider preparing to assist medical efforts here at home. The state is organizing a coordinated response for temporary housing and medical assistance in the event that evacuees are sent to Nebraska.
Dr. Schaefer said, “It is possible Nebraska could begin receiving evacuees with immediate medical, social and mental health care needs. While the federal response effort is an immediate need, providing local assistance is still an option that would be greatly appreciated, should we be called upon to provide assistance to storm victims. I would urge any willing and able health care professionals to contact our local partners to sign-up and volunteer.”
Health care workers available to assist potential evacuees here in Nebraska should contact the Lincoln-Lancaster County Medical Society at 402-483-4800 or the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department at 402-441-8000. In Omaha, volunteers can contact The United Way, which is coordinating the Medical Reserve Corps response at 402-522-7970. Should the state be called to house and care for evacuees in other communities, additional contact information for registering medical volunteers will be made available.
Those without medical training but who are interested in volunteering in storm-affected areas can find more information on how to help online at http://www.USAFreedomCorps.gov or by calling 877-USA-CORPS.
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