NOMRC September Newsletter

Dear NOMRC Members, 

We have a lot of activities going on right now and I will really appreciate everyone who has stepped up to help out. This week we responded to Tropical Storm Gordon by opening a call center and supporting the Low Barrier Shelter as they took in extra homeless individuals.  While we didn't open a Medical Special Needs Shelter we had a number of NOMRC members who volunteered for shifts.  The Atlantic Ocean does not look good so please make sure all of your hurricane plans are in order. 

As mentioned in previous emails, we are working with the Louisiana Department of Health and Healthcare for the Homeless to provide Hepatitis A vaccines to high risk individuals as many states around the country are experiencing Hep A outbreaks. We have the opportunity to set up larger vaccine campaigns at St. Jude Community Center and Grace at the Greenlight if we have enough volunteers who can administer vaccines.  If you are interested in assisting with this project, could you volunteer over lunchtime during the week?  What days of the week would you be available and what is the best time of day for you?  Once we know if enough volunteers are available I can schedule the campaign.  If we can get a large amount of volunteers we could actually practice a point of dispensing (POD). 

Finally,  thank you to Jake, George, and Lee for leading the Community Opioid Overdose Prevention Trainings. We've received great media attention regarding this project and many organizations have approached us to provide this training for their members. 

Community Opioid Awareness Classes

In 2016, New Orleans suffered more than 200 opioid overdose deaths. Beginning next week, NOMRC will be offering public classes that include hands-on practice in responding to these life-threatening opioid overdoses as well as offering information on addiction support and other resources. If you are interested in attending or helping teach a class, please email sababcock@nola.gov. These classes will also serve as an instructor training for any NOMRC member interested in becoming a naloxone instructor.

Saturday, September 8th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Algiers Regional Library (3014 Holiday Dr.)  

Tuesday, September 11th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at East New Orleans Regional Library (5641 Read Blvd.)

Saturday, September 22nd from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Tuesday, September 25th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at N.O. Main Library (219 Loyola Ave.)

Saturday, October 6th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Nora Navra Library (1902 St. Bernard Ave.)

NOMRC Stop the Bleed Training

Now that naloxone training classes are being hosted at multiple locations each month, we will transition to holding Stop the Bleed trainings following some NOMRC orientations. If you are interested in attending a NOMRC-only Stop the Bleed training, even if you have previously attended orientation, please select from the following dates and email jacob.hurwitz@nola.gov. We will select the most popular date(s) and host classes on those days for any interested members. To learn more about Stop the Bleed, visit their website!

Saturday, October 6th from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Saturday, November 17th from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Saturday, December 8th from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Hepatitis A Outreach and Vaccination Campaign

Across the country, communities are seeing Hepatitis A outbreaks in homeless populations.  While this has not impacted New Orleans yet, we are launching a proactive campaign to vaccinate our homeless population.  Starting August 22^nd, we will be providing Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines to homeless individuals at the New Orleans Mission and Ozanam Inn.  If you are a medical professional interested in vaccinating individuals or a non-medical professional interested in assisting to complete paperwork and enter records into the state LINKS system please let us know.  These events will be held every Wednesday in August and September from 6:30-8:00 PM.  Please email Sarah Babcock at sababcock@nola.gov for more information or to sign up.  

Internship Opportunity at NOHD

The New Orleans Health Department Office of Emergency Preparedness is seeking an intern for Fall 2018. The intern will assist with NOMRC coordination and have the opportunity to work on special projects related to public health emergency preparedness and response. Interns may be undergraduate or graduate students and should be working toward or hold a degree in public health, emergency management, or a related field. Interested individuals can email Sarah Babcock at sababcock@nola.gov.

New Member Orientation

If you have friends or family who want to volunteer with the NOMRC, please invite them to attend a New Member Orientation on one of the dates below. All in-person orientation dates now include a hands-on naloxone training immediately following the orientation. New members should RSVP to sababcock@nola.gov to sign up and get more information about NOMRC orientation.

Saturday, September 8th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Saturday, October 13th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Saturday, November 17th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Saturday, December 8th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

Naloxone (Opioid Overdose) Train the Trainer

Every day in the U.S., 115 individuals die from opioid overdoses. In 2017, New Orleans EMS responded to more than 1,200 overdose emergencies across our city. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is an overdose reversal medication that is safe for anyone to use and is the most effective way to stop an opioid overdose. NOMRC members who complete this training will be able to teach the community how to use naloxone and discuss the opioid epidemic's challenges. Please RSVP for one of the following trainings to Sarah Babcock at sababcock@nola.gov.

Saturday, September 8th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.)

CPR, AED & First Aid 

That's right, it's time we start preparing for Mardi Gras.  If your CPR, AED and First Aid will expire before February 2019 we will offer two classes prior to Mardi Gras.  These classes are limited to 12 people per class so sign up early.  You will need to complete the online portion of First Aid and bring your printed certificate to the class.  After the class you will go online to retrieve your certification card. The cost of the card is $22 and you pay online. To register or for questions please email Sarah Babcock sababcock@nola.gov. 

            Saturday, December 1st from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at EMS Headquarters (2929 Earhart Blvd.)

           Thursday, January 31st from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at EMS Headquarters (2929 Earhart Blvd.)

Total number of NOMRC members: 280

Number of volunteer hours in 2018: 1,415

Are you #ReadyYearRound? Click the image below for tips on staying safe during emergencies.