Creating an organization of volunteer nurses Abigail Matos-Pagan, DNP, MS, ANPC, RN University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Department of Nursing

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 2 Objectives Discuss the contribution of volunteer nurses in times of disaster Present the experiences, lessons learned and outcomes of the Coalition of Nurses for Communities in Disaster (CONCID) Establish a network of nursing leaders who are interested in the challenges of disaster nursing

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 3 Introduction The concept of preparing nurses in the area of disaster has been adopted by private, public and government agencies Organizations have taken measures to prepare professionals and key personnel for disasters

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 4 Introduction The mission of CONCID is to promote a strong public health preparedness infrastructure, increase inter-operability between first responders, government, civil and private agencies. Disseminate communication standards to improve disaster response and minimize morbidity and mortality in vulnerable or at risk communities in disaster.

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 5 Introduction Train nurses and allied professionals to address the unique requirements of awareness, preparedness and response, as to assist with the needs of disaster victims and relief workers at the local and national level.

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 6 Organizational structure: ICS Incident commander Security officer PlanningLogistics Operations Triage Search & Rescue Finance CADRE TEAM

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 7 Methods Based on the Lewin’s Change Theory Phase I : Unfreezing (creating awareness) Recruitment activities, identification of volunteers’ demographics, skills and specialties Development of an electronic bank of information

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 8 methods Phase II: Moving towards the change Implementation of project Evaluation of Activities Phase III: Re-freezing (maintenance of change) Integration of volunteer services in disaster preparedness and relief effort activities Yearly CEU and updates in disaster related material including simulation exercises

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 9 Membership profile Puerto Rico Volunteer nurse

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 10

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 11

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 12 No drill offered

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 13 Drills and Continuing Education Through practice of multiple simulated scenarios we have increased in Inter- operability response, communication, coordination and management of Information systems. Through continuing education we have provided the latest information on disaster preparedness, response and surveillance. From simple to complex information Research Lessons learned

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 14 Drills and Continuing Education FY1 Community Emergency Response Teams 20 CEU Disaster Simulation Drill: earthquake mass casualties

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 15 Drills and Continuing Education FY2: First Congress In Disaster Nursing 8 CEU Research In Disaster: Pathophysiology Of Disasters Trauma assessment PTSD Earthquake / Tsunami Hurricanes

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 16 Drill and Continuing Education FY3 Second Congress In Disaster Nursing: 16 CEU Faces Of Terrorism Hospital Incident Command System Disaster Simulation Drill: Suspected Terrorist Attack Violence In Disaster Self-defense for nurses Hospital Response In Mass Casualty

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 17 Drill and Continuing Education FY4: Third Congress In Disaster Nursing 20 CEU At The Area Of Disaster: Network of Responders Disaster Simulation Drill: Flooding Bomb Threat / Violence In Disaster Self-defense for nurses Hospital Transport of Acute Care Victims

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 18 Outcomes Multidisciplinary membership growth Integration of Nursing leadership in activities of disaster preparedness and response for communities, private and governmental agencies Collaboration and integration of multidisciplinary personnel Collaboration of multi-agencies (civil, private and governmental) during annual congress and simulation drills

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 19 Outcomes Integration of military personnel as consultant in areas of terrorism and security as well as command and staff functions Establishment of Command Center and CONCID HQ’s at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez – Department of Nursing

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 20 Outcomes Sponsorship of training events by Subject Matter Experts in areas of great importance for the academic community (Bomb threat, Terrorism, Active Shooter’s Incidents and Incident Command System

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 21 Outcomes Promotion of interoperability between campus security, local and state law-enforcement entities, nurses and emergency medical personnel Inclusion of Hospital Preparedness and response exercise activities ( Mass casualties, chemical explosion, multiple trauma, terrorism and HEICS)

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 22 Other outcomes

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 23 Future projections Establish CONCID chapters in neighboring Caribbean Islands and Continental US

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 24 A thousand words in images

A. Matos st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University 25 Questions ? Comments? Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead