Public Health – Medical Reserve Corps

In cooperation with the New York State Department of Health, The Schoharie County Health Department is proud to be participating in ServNY , a comprehensive volunteer management system created to assist officials during public health emergencies.

Public Health and healthcare emergencies caused by natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or disease outbreaks require a health and medical response that depends primarily on the mobilization of qualified, well-trained personnel. Volunteers will be called upon when the response to an emergency or disaster requires more personnel and resources than local emergency response programs have on hand. Not every emergency will require volunteers. Volunteers may be called upon to dispense medications and vaccinations, treat evacuees in an emergency shelter, or assist in many other ways.

The Schoharie County Health Department MRC is a registry of healthcare and non-healthcare personnel who volunteer to provide assistance in an emergency or major disaster in Schoharie county. Registering does not guarantee that you will be called upon, nor does it mean that you must participate. By completing the registration prior to an emergency you can be deployed quickly and efficiently during an actual event. Volunteers will receive free advance training and “on the spot” training if their services are ever needed.

For further information please call 518-295-8365 or click here to JOIN NOW

Valerie Manchester, PHN
MRC Contact

What is the Medical Reserve Corps?
  • The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was founded after President Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. It is a partner program with Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. Citizen Corps, along with AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps are part of the President’s USA Freedom Corps, which promotes volunteerism and service nationwide.
  • The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program coordinates the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professionals as well as other citizens interested in health issues, who are eager to volunteer to address their community’s ongoing public health needs and help their community during a time of need.
  • MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers to strengthen public health emergency preparedness by supplementing existing emergency and public health resources.
  • MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and non-medical volunteers who can fill key support positions.
  • MRC units are provided specific areas to target that strengthen the public health infrastructure of their communities by the U.S. Surgeon General. These are outlined priorities for the health of individuals, and the nation as a whole, which also serve as a guide to the MRC. The overarching goal is to improve health literacy, and to work towards increasing disease prevention, eliminating health disparities, and improving public health preparedness.

Who can register as a volunteer?
Anyone who works or lives in Schoharie County interested in making our community safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to emergencies of all kinds.

Do I need any special skills to volunteer?
No. Both individuals with medical training and non-medical volunteers are needed.

What will I do as a volunteer?
Volunteers can choose roles that match their skills, interests and availability. Roles might include:

  • Assistance with the distribution of medicines & supplies at Points of
  • Dispensing Sites (PODS)
  • Administrative & support roles
  • Emergency shelter support
  • Community safety and preparedness initiatives
  • Assistance with Community Public Health activities
  • Many other important jobs

What are the time requirements?
There is no set time commitment to be a MRC volunteer. Volunteers serve at their level of interest, time and training.

What kind of training will I receive?
Volunteers receive an initial orientation which includes an overview of MRC roles, responsibilities and assignment, activation & reporting procedures. Additional trainings are offered as classroom and online sessions. You will also receive “just in time” training if your services are ever needed.

I’m ready, how do I get involved?
Interested in registering as a Schoharie County Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer? Call (518) 295-8365 for a registration form.

Schoharie County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
C/O Schoharie Health Department
PO Box 667
276 Main Street
Schoharie, NY
12157-0667