Jackie Carrier

In the Midwest we do not experience the hurricanes that cause such devastation in the southern and eastern coastal states, and the terrible mudslides and fires that destroy homes, businesses and forests in California. Consequently, we may tend to be lulled into a false sense of security, and think “disasters don't happen here,” but unfortunately they can, and they have, and the horrific rain and wind storms that resulted in power outages, flooding, and the loss of thousands of trees in this area this past August are proof that emergencies can and do happen anywhere. The citizens of Palatine have banded together to plan and prepare to be able to look after their citizens in the event of a major disaster, and Jackie Carrier has been a volunteer with the Palatine Citizen Corps (PCC) and the Palatine Medical Reserve Corps (PMRC) for the past 3 ½ years. “I am involved because it is the right thing to do. I have enjoyed a very blessed life, and it is my way of giving back,” Carrier said. “When you are given a lot in life you should give back to others. I enjoyed my many years working as a nurse, and want to continue helping in the community.”

The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds. Tom Smith, Coordinator, Palatine Emergency Management Agency Coordinator (EMA) said, “To put it simply, we are uniting our community to be better prepared to deal with any type of an emergency, through training and planning.”

Smith expressed his appreciation for the dedication and hours of service given by all the volunteers, and added, “Jackie is a great volunteer. She always has a smile on her face, and always sees the glass as half full.” Fred Hoegler, Deputy Chief, Palatine Fire Department, and Deputy Palatine Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, echoed Smith's sentiments and said, “It is a pleasure to work with Jackie. She is a tireless contributor to PCC and PMRC, and an outstanding volunteer.”

Volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps include active and retired doctors, nurses, chiropractors, social workers, dentists, pharmacists, and other professional people who would be available to help in the event of a disaster. One of their other functions is to educate the public regarding diseases such as influenza, different types of flu, West Nile Virus, and tick born diseases. The other program sponsored by PCC is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) that provides citizens with basic training so that they are able to look after themselves, their families, and neighbors, and to assist the professional responders in the event of an emergency.

As a member of the leadership committee Carrier helps to plan events and training activities, and is part of a team that conducts two modules on medical training for the CERT program. She also joins with other volunteers who staff booths at the Street Fest and 4th of July festivities as they give out literature and information on general preparedness and information on the Medical Reserve Corps.

Carrier also volunteers with a local Yellow Ribbon support group that collects items for military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to the toiletries, socks, writing paper, notes from local children, and other personal care items, the volunteers include candy, and a little teddy bear that is given to children where the military personnel are stationed. She is a member of the Palatine First United Methodist Church for 31 years, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She also belongs to a church group that makes teddy bears for pediatric patients at Northwest Community Hospital.

Before her retirement, Carrier was employed with Northwest Community Hospital at the Schaumburg Treatment Center. She also served as a Navy nurse for three years and met her husband, Stan, when she was his nurse at Great Lakes Naval Base. She resides in Palatine, and her family includes her son, Nick, and a daughter, Lara. Carrier's leisure time activities include reading and gardening.

To obtain information as to how you can perform meaningful volunteer work in your local community contact The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (all ages) at 847-228-1320, or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Seniors age 55 or better) at 847-228-1006. Check their website www.volunteerinfo.net for a description of the hundreds of types of opportunities for service that are available.

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