Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: May 2, 2008

Department of Health Joins State Partners For Launch of Statewide Healthcare Volunteer Registry
Healthcare professionals encouraged to register online to help state plan for emergencies

Rhode Island is taking another step forward in its emergency preparedness efforts. Today the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) joins other state agencies to announce the start of RI Responds, the state’s system for the registration and coordinated placement of healthcare professional volunteers.

RI Responds is a partnership among HEALTH, the Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team (RI-DMAT) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), with technical support from Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA). “This joint effort in developing RI Responds allows for the identification and verification of the credentials of trained healthcare professionals,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “This will be critical to support the medical needs of the public during an emergency as the healthcare system in the state, region, or the country can quickly become overwhelmed.”

"I encourage all healthcare professionals in Rhode Island to sign up with RI Responds and do their part to help ensure that as a state, we are prepared for emergencies and natural disasters like hurricanes," Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts said. Lt. Gov. Roberts serves as chair of the Emergency Management Advisory Council. "Emergency preparedness hinges on collaboration before a disaster strikes. I commend the forethought and preparation of the RI Responds team in spearheading this initiative."

Through the years, RI-DMAT and MRC have assisted HEALTH during medical and public health emergencies. More recently, they have helped in the response efforts for Hurricane Katrina and for the mycoplasma pneumonia outbreak in three public school systems in Rhode Island. “Completing the verification process of volunteers ahead of time will allow us to quickly and efficiently utilize healthcare professionals during a response effort,” said RI-DMAT Deputy Team Leader Tom Laurence.

The technology that allows volunteers to join the RI Responds system is called SERV-RI (Statewide Emergency Registry of Volunteers) and is now fully functional. SERV-RI operates as part of a nation-wide effort funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information about the system or to register, visit: www.riresponds.org