Emergency Planning Registry for Volunteer Nurses

Volunteer Nurse Registry Form

The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is staffed and trained to respond to communicable disease and food borne illness outbreaks. However, a natural disaster or bioterrorism event could exceed our ability to respond as quickly or effectively as needed. For example, after September 11, thousands of doctors and nurses called or arrived in New York City to help but their offers quickly overwhelmed the city's capacity to accommodate and make use of this valuable resource. We have all learned that planning for the unexpected is a necessity in this new century.

The Health Department participates in County and State Emergency Planning Councils and activities. As part of this planning, we are creating a registry of area nurses who would be willing to volunteer in the event of a disaster. One example was the need for nursing care in shelters in response to the recent ice storm in the North Country. Other examples include working in mass vaccination clinics in response to communicable disease outbreaks such as Influenza, Hepatitis A or Smallpox.
 

Here is the information TCHD will need from nurses interested in volunteering:

• Contact information: name, address, phone, email, etc.
• Registered Professional Nursing or Licensed Practical Nursing license number. Retirees with current registration are also eligible
• Vaccination or illness information for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Smallpox, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Chickenpox
• Specific nursing skills and experience that would be helpful such as: immunizations, venipuncture, CPR certification, etc. and language, signing skills to assist in the interpretation of medical needs.

How will this work?

• We would maintain a confidential registry and would not share it without the volunteer's written consent.
• We would request an update on volunteer information annually.
• In the event of a disaster, TCHD staff would contact volunteers to see if they are available. No obligation is assumed.

How will this benefit Tompkins County?

• We would be able to mobilize and assign volunteer nursing staff quickly, efficiently and safely
• We would be able to pre-plan meeting sites for information dissemination, and
• We would be able to assist in the coordination of nursing volunteers for American Red Cross shelters, and for emergencies at area hospitals, colleges and universities.

For more information

• Please contact Adam Hartwig at ahartwig@tompkins-co.org or 274-6681.

Volunteer Nurse Registry Form