Questions? Email us at: swflmrc@gmail.com
SWFLMRC Mission and Activities

Organized in 2002, the SWFLMRC is sponsored by the Lee County Florida Health Department LCHD). Our service area includes the following counties:

  • Lee
  • Charlotte
  • Glades
  • Hendry
  • DeSoto
  • Highland

Through its relationship with LCHD, the SWFLMRC is integrated into local emergency response systems (EMS). MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. When deployed by the LCHD, MRC volunteers are provided liability protection (sovereign immunity) and workers compensation insurance.

In addition to disaster preparedness, MRC units target areas that strengthen the public health infrastructure of their communities. The goal is to improve health literacy, which leads to disease prevention, the elimination of health disparities, and the general improvement of public health preparedness. The LCHD and the SWFLMRC are exploring the development of rural health initiatives, which will include public education, health screening, disease prevention and disease mitigation.

In recent months the SWFLMRC, under the direction of the LCHD, has been involved in the following activities:

  • Participation (major triage and psychological first aid) in the Southwest Florida International Airport Disaster Exercise in October 2009.
  • Conduct of multiple H1n1 clinics in the Fall/Winter of 2009/2010.
  • Recruitment and training of MRC volunteers both directly and through MRC chapters.
  • Conduct of H1N1N1 clinics and medical screenings for the Grace Community Center.
  • Initiation of rural public health initiatives in partnership with the Hendry/Glades health departments and Edison College.
  • Recruitment of local college and high school volunteers for public health initiatives approved by the LCHD.

SWFLMRC staff support is provided by

Debra L. Gary, RN, Ph.D.
Southwest Florida MRC Foundation,
P.O. Box 101533,
Cape Coral, FL 33910-1553.
phone: (239) 542-4887.
email: swflmrc@gmail.com

Dr. Gary, an experienced health care professional and educator, is a consultant employed by the SWFLMRC Foundation. Dr. Gary, as MRC Coordinator, is responsible for:

  • Recruitment, application review and background checks of MRC volunteers.
  • Integration of SWFLMRC volunteer records with the SERVFL database.
  • Supervision of the local MRC volunteer database.
  • Conduct of required MRC volunteer training.
  • Liaison with MRC chapters.
  • Establishment of new MRC chapters.
  • Drafting of annual MRC plan and budget.
  • Preparation of quarterly progress reports against plans.
  • Working with the web consultant, provide content for the Foundation/MRC web site.
Southwest Florida MRC Mission and Activities
Home