LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Public Health Department recently incorporated disaster preparedness training with the flu shot clinics held in Lakeport and Clearlake.

Using the flu shot clinics to train for mass dispensing in a disaster is mandated by California State Public Health.

Medical personnel saw approximately 2,000 people between the two clinics. These high turnout rates make an ideal training opportunity.

"In the case of a pandemic we need to be able to give everyone in Lake County an injection within 48 hours," according to Linda Fraser, health education program coordinator for Lake County Public Health.

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers assisted Public Health nurses with the clinics and are a valuable asset for the county.

The MRC are medical personnel who are willing to be trained and called out for clinics like this, disasters and in emergency responses.

Steve Finch, the all-hazards coordinator for Public Health, started recruiting volunteers in June. At this time there are 25 volunteers, registered nurses and two of which are physicians.

The Medical Reserve Corps volunteers undergo continuous training. They can be nurses, physicians, administrative clerks, pharmacists, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

In August two volunteers, a physician and registered nurse, participated in the Statewide "Rough and Ready" event in Southern California where they participated in triage situations and erecting a mobile filed hospital.

Setting up with flu clinics following state guidelines for emergency training but it also benefited the community. Many commented on how easily things ran and quickly they were seen.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Medical Reserve Corps, please contact program coordinator Steve Finch at 263-1090 or online at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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