Medical Reserve Corps

 

The Somerset County Health Department is seeking volunteers for a new Medical Reserve Corps Program funded by a federal grant.  Retired and active medical, allied health professionals and other non-medical volunteers are encouraged to apply.

 

Application and Trainings

Register Now for the MRC Volunteer Orientation/Training: Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Press Release (For 4/13/11 Training)

If you would like to volunteer for the Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps, please print out the appropriate application for your skill set:

• Healthcare Volunteer Application

• Lay Person Volunteer Application

Our Mission: To offer a venue for community volunteers to assist essential personnel and emergency response professionals and facilities in the event of a large-scale local public health disaster.  

 

This may include responding to medical and public health emergencies.  This valuable resource might be mobilized to help participate in events such as:

• fires

• plane crashes

• chemical spills

• terrorism incidents

• explosions and natural disasters

• Unusual disease outbreaks or suspected bioterrorism incidents may require a massive immunization of people or distribution of preventative medicine. 

Training will be provided in partnership with the American Red Cross. 

 

The Program’s Goals are:

 

1. To recruit a cadre of professional volunteers who will be trained to work safely and effectively during emergent situations.
2. Improve overall health and well being of communities during and after a disaster.
3. Increase surge capacity to respond to public health or community medical emergencies
4. Reduce or minimize physical or environmental damages as a result of a disaster.
5. Provide an opportunity for community members to be prepared during emergencies at home first and then be able to help with neighboring community response efforts.
6. Respond to emergencies in an effective organized framework within a command and control structure.

 

 

 

 

MRC Volunteers IN ACTION: Local Township Flu Clinics

Over 20 MRC Volunteers assisted at local flu clinics throughout Somerset County during flu season 2005 to immunize thousands of residents. A special thanks to all of our volunteers for their continued support. Here are a couple of testimonials from clinic Directors and Coordinators:   

Stephanie Carey, Health Officer, Montgomery Health Department:
"Your volunteers were a tremendous help! Indeed, we would not have been able to handle the surge of people without their help. Tom, Tim, Harold and Dorothy were courteous and efficient in helping everyone ...... Dorothy especially was a help when we exhausted our supplies and had to take reservations for our next clinic .
I think this was a very practical, real life experience for preparing for an emergency, and I hope to work with them and the MRC again!"

 Marcie Tyson, Health Educator, Branchburg Health       Department:
 "Thanks for sending the MRC volunteers to our flu clinics. The   volunteers were wonderful - they were a big help and truly gracious  in  their participation."

 

“Reflections of Katrina, A personal perspective from local MRC volunteers” November 28, 2005

 

Would you like a presentation on the Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps for your employees, community, or organization?

 

Learn more about the Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps and how you can join. This presentation discusses the need to recruit a core of medical and nonmedical community members and the role those volunteers will play in the event of a medical or public health emergency. This presentation can be tailored to meet the time limits or requirements of most organizations. Contact MRC Coordinator Lucille Y-Talbot at (908) 231-7155 to schedule a presentation.

 

If you would like to find out more about the national program visit the National Medical Reserve Corps website.

 

If you would like to find out more about the New Jersey State program visit the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps website.

            

 

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