MRC Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon G. Wetzler, Part 2

This week, MRC News & Notes talked with long-time volunteer Sharon Wetzler. The second part of our interview is below. For the first part, including information on Sharon’s professional background and the reason she joined the MRC, click here.

What is your number 1 disaster preparation tip?
Knowing your evacuation route and preparedness is the key! You must know where to go, who to go to and how to make things happen. I’ve kept all my MRC training materials to use in personal disaster planning.

I have a notebook that I keep updated with policy and procedure; I’ve kept all my instructions and booklets. In a smaller community like Sarasota I can easily keep track of things like, who responds first, where the supplies come from, what and when to do things, just by knowing the chain of command and the whole logistical process that occurs.

What is in your disaster preparedness kit today?
Besides the kit that we keep current all the time, my husband and I strive to make sure that everything is ready to go and stored in a locked waterproof container. The contents include important documents such as copy of drivers license, proof of residence, will, marriage certificate, insurance policies, etc. which we even wrap in plastic for added protection.  We also keep a tool kit, flashlights/extra batteries, protective clothing, work gloves, pet supplies, and a list of medications, past surgical procedures, doctor names and phone numbers available in a travel bag for a quick exit. Any perishable supplies are rotated for expiration dates so that the food products and water are always fresh.

From my military training, I know the feeling of being in survival mode and I never want to be in that position so I keep my supplies well stocked! I keep an accordion list on the refrigerator and it has become second nature for us to check and update each year on the anniversary of Hurricane Charlie, the first hurricane to hit Florida during the four-hurricane season 2005.

What is your favorite disaster film?
For learning purposes, I include films in teaching my nursing students, and the one that I really like the most is from the military – it’s called “The Golden Hour.” Studies have shown that in treating patients, the first hour is very important for their survival – if you receive patients that are traumatized and treat them within an hour, their chance of survival is much greater. If they do not receive adequate treatment in the first hour, their chance of survival diminishes.

The film is from snippets of events that occurred in various theaters of war – Iraq, Grenada, Vietnam, Afghanistan and others. It depicts the historical progression of what we’ve learned as medical practitioners that can provide the scientific evidence required to move forward in practice in ways to best treat injuries as safe, efficient and effective.

This is so useful to the nurses in training – I teach how to work with acutely ill patients, including those involved in disasters. To be an effective caregiver, the learning process must include examples of health promotion and disease prevention. But also,  the experience of various traumatic case studies, where you need to make critical decisions and be able to process the outcomes of any interventions all within a short period of time. These films help with that – It’s over and above what the curriculum requires, but it really sends the message that’s not easily forgotten.