Different Ways To Volunteer, Family Assistance, Behavioral Health, Regional Medical and Incident Management Teams!
Family Assistance Team
During a man-made or natural event or disaster, citizens and visitors may require several services at a Family Assistance Centers (FAC), some may become separated or their whereabouts since last contact may be unknown. Additionally, minor children may become separated from parents or legal guardians so family reunification may be needed.
In the event of a mass casualty/mass fatality incident, a FAC can be established to facilitate the process of identifying fatalities and survivors of an incident, reuniting them with family, and ensuring the provision of emergency social and financial services to survivors and families during the aftermath of an incident or disaster. FAC's provide information to survivors, family, and friends, coordinate access to support services, and facilitate the collection of information from families that is necessary for identification while providing a responsive and sensitive environment for those affected.
The Central Florida Disaster Medical Team is a regional medical assistance team (RMAT), a group of volunteer responders whose purpose is to stabilize, treat, and transfer, as appropriate, patients during a disaster or during a community-sponsored event, such as air shows, marathons, and concerts. The CFDMT consists of trained /credentialed command staff, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and administrative and logistics personnel.
The CFDMT supports emergency medical operations during disasters and at pre-planned community events in Central Florida. Previous RMAT efforts show a dramatic benefit to not only the EMS community but also local hospitals. The RMAT efforts enable EMS and hospitals to handle their normal patient loads right away, by keeping RMAT patients out of the system. The RMAT’s immediate medical care to these patients often ensures a better patient outcome.
As a member of the CFDMT you will have the opportunity to work in some unique environments with some of our area’s outstanding first responders. Most importantly you can help treat and save the lives of fellow community members. This is your opportunity to be part of a valued team during events and emergency situations, when it truly matters most.
Behavioral Health Response Team
Each individual and community are unique in responding to the stress and sudden precipitous losses associated with a disaster event, whether natural or human-generated. Disaster survivors, including emergency responders and others who are affected by disaster events, may experience varying levels of stress and anxiety. They may also display other physical and psychological symptoms that could adversely affect their ability to respond, perform and function. Outreach, early psychological first aid and referrals can assist disaster survivors to meet new challenges and offer support in their recovery process to return them to pre-disaster performance and functioning levels.
For more information, contact info@centralfladisaster.org
