Medical Reserve Corps

Northern NH Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

The North Country Health Consortium (NCHC) is the sponsoring agency of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit serving the North Country region and its residents, the Northern New Hampshire Medical Reserve Corps (NNH MRC).

 

Northern NH MRC serves the communities of: 

Bath, Berlin, Bethlehem, Bretton Woods, Colebrook, Errol, Franconia, Gorham, Groveton, Haverhill, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lisbon, Littleton, Milan, Monroe, Mount Washington, North Haverhill, North Stratford, Pittsburg, Randolph, Sugar Hill, Twin Mountain, West Stewartstown, Whitefield, Woodsville

 

 

Providers from NCHC’s network of member organizations share a vested interest in collaborating for the provision of population-based public health services in the North Country service area. The North Country Public Health Network is the governing body for the NNH MRC Unit. 

 

What is the MRC ?

The MRC network comprises more than 200,000 volunteers in roughly 800 community-based units located throughout the United States and its territories. MRC units organize and utilize local volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and to support ongoing preparedness initiatives. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds who want to improve the health and safety of their communities.  

 

Why the MRC is Needed  

The need for the MRC became apparent after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when medical and public health professionals, eager to volunteer in support of emergency relief activities, found that there was no organized approach to channel their efforts. As a result, in 2002 the MRC was established to provide a way to recruit, train, and activate medical and public health professionals and other volunteers to respond to community health needs during disasters and other public health emergencies. 

With the MRC in place, a formerly untapped resource of medical and public health volunteers is functioning and available for the community to access in emergencies and for ongoing efforts in public health. In 2003, the North Country Health Consortium received funding from the Office of the Surgeon General to begin the Northern NH unit MRC.  

  

MRC Activities

Examples of activities that MRC volunteers participate in and support include:

 

Emergency preparedness and response trainings and exercises	Community vaccination clinics	Disaster clean-up and recovery support
Emergency shelter operations and medical care	Veterinary care	First aid and medical support during large public gatherings
Disaster medical and behavioral health support	Support services to disaster call centers, family assistance centers, and reception/evacuation centers	Community education and outreach
Medical facility surge support	Emergency operations center and communications support	Emergency preparedness and response planning, logistical, and administrative support
Mass dispensing efforts (e.g., medication, water, other supplies)	Patient movement support	... and more!
Disease testing and surveillance	Search and rescue operations

 Benefits of joining MRC

• We support local public health, while advancing the priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General  
• Promoting disease prevention  
• Improving health literacy  
• Eliminating health disparities  
• Enhancing public health preparedness  
• Provide no cost school based influenza immunizations to children
• Participate in mass prophylaxis and vaccination and community disaster responses  
• Staff shelters, both human and pets  
• Presentations at health education events
• Train with local emergency response partners  

Who should join MRC?

All Medical, Public Health Professionals and Non-Medical Volunteers are welcome!

Your community needs:  

Join the Northern NH MRC!

 

First, fill out the application:

1. Click on NH Responds banner above 
   
   
2. Click the "Register Now" button (on right-hand side of page)  
   
   
3. Choose organization:
   • select Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) from the dropdown menu
     
     
4. Click Select Organization button
   • choose Northern New Hampshire Medical Reserve Corps  from the dropdown menu; click “Select” button
     
     
5. Follow the instructions to complete the application; once submitted, our staff will be notified and will contact you
   
   

   Next...
   
   

6. Review the MRC Volunteer Handbook:
   • print Volunteer Acknowledgement (on page 16); sign and date the form
     
     
7. Review the Consent for Criminal Record Check form:
   • Fill out, print form, and sign and date in both places indicated with a red “X” 
     
     
8. Email the two completed forms to: mrc@NCHCNH.org

Contact

For questions or to learn more about the Northern NH MRC and how to get involved, contact: mrc@NCHCNH.org