Frustrated RNs close city's medical corps

It is with heavy hearts that we report the demise of the Des Plaines Medical Reserve Corps, the federally-approved emergency preparedness and response program.

For more than 10 years we registered nurses have served Des Plaines by providing volunteer medical assessments, services and education at multiple events.

The Des Plaines MRC helped Cook County distribute the H1N1 vaccine to local schools. MRC leaders and members are trained to help the community in the event of a pandemic or public health emergency, and in disaster preparedness and response situations. All MRC leaders are state licensed certified medical first responders.

The MRC is incorporated in the city's Emergency Operating Plan.

Our decision to disband does not come lightly. Since the reorganization of leadership under Homeland Security, we have received only minimal support and have seen an inequity in distribution of resources to the Citizen's Corps groups - Citizens on Patrol, Fire Corps and the Medical Reserve Corps.

When questioning the leadership, we were not heard and were dismissed without resolution.

In trying to rectify this, and seek a change in leadership through other Des Plaines officials, we were all but accused of not following governmental regulations and not keeping records on volunteer enrollment.

At no time were we negligent. Prior to the reorganization, training, planning sessions and full member meetings were held regularly in coordination with county and federal representatives; records were kept and reviewed by the previous coordinator and director on a regular basis and quarterly status was provided to the federal program.

Should the situation change, and new leadership and support be offered and assigned, we would consider reinstating our service to the community we reside in and love. The City of Des Plaines and the residents have lost this and other great volunteer programs.

Medical Reserve Corp Leaders Group

Carol Arndt, Donna Hudson, Terri Kaisling, Joanne Kolestsos, Peggy Losik and Joanne Ross, all RNs.