The purpose of the Nebraska Regional Medical Response Systems is to prepare local medical systems, in partnership and collaboration with public health, fire, law enforcement, emergency management, government entities and community organizations, for an integrated medical response to any disaster, including those that could result from a terrorist attack.

 

 

The Medical Response System (MRS) was created to enhance the State of Nebraska's ability to respond to emergent and public health situations that involve large numbers of people and/or disruption of services.  MRS acts as a catalyst to facilitate communication and cooperation among entities, allowing them to better plan for and respond to these situations through collaboration of efforts.  In addition, MRS provides resources for training, education, exercises and communication enhancement as well as development of Medical Reserve Corps and assistance in the development of protocols for responding to surge capacity situations.

 

The State of Nebraska is divided into six MRS regions each with its own steering commitee which sets the goals and activities largely based upon the unique needs of the region.  In addition, Ruth Cover, Hospital Biopreparedness Coordinator at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and John Roberts, program consultant, provide leadership and direction to the committees, helping the regions steer their activities toward goals established by the state and federal government, as necessary for continued funding.

 

 

Iniatives and activities are developed both at the State and at the regional level.  Common Medical Response System initiatives include:

 

• Enhancing surge capacity;

• Developing methods for pharmaceutical, equipment and human resource sharing;

• Developing agreements among organizations for sharing resources;

• Mobilizing resources;

• Upgrading and augmenting communication systems;

• Developing and sponsoring Medical Reserve Corps and Citizens Councils;

• Providing education and training especially in the areas of personal protective equipment, decontamination and hazmat; NIMS Compliance

• Developing activation levels and notification processes;

• Patient tracking;

• Analyzing existing response plans;

• Developing and implementing joint exercises of all levels.