Medical Reserve Corps
A Medical Reserve Corps is being organized in Holliston, under the auspices of the Board of Health.
What is the Medical Reserve Corps, (MRC) and what does it do or what will it accomplish?
Perhaps the name MRC is a misnomer, as it really is an emergency reserve corps made up of volunteers from all backgrounds, who have been trained to respond to emergencies in the community.
The MRC is organized and trained as a team to assist residents in the event of an emergency such as a severe winter storm, a hurricane or other natural disaster.
Emergencies that threaten public health such as pandemic flu outbreak or a toxic chemical release are examples of situations that would require the assistance of the Medical Reserve Corps.
In addition to emergencies, the MRC promotes community programs such as flu clinics, and works in conjunction with the Police, Fire and the Board of Health.
All skills are needed, technical, administrative, security, communication, and virtually anything, in addition to medically trained personnel .
Holliston now has an executive committee appointed by the Board of Health, that acts as an advisory committee to the board, and about 50 volunteers have already signed on .
Volunteers are needed for all the subcommittees, like the following:
The Administrative Committee needs people to maintain contact information files, update the web site, and maintain the data base for example.
The At-Risk Population Committee will identify people needing special attention in time of crisis, and their management.
The Care of School-age Children Committee work closely with school officials.
The Publicity and Public Education Committee has the responsibility of educating the community on the role of the MRC.
The Pet Sheltering Committee will develop plan to care and transport pets during critical times.
The Transportation Committee will establish plans to get patients and volunteers to shelters.
This is just a sampling of the role volunteers will play in developing strategies for emergencies.
Applications to be a volunteer are available at the Board of Health or by contacting Health Director Ann McCobb, at 508.429.0605
The credentials of all licensed volunteers will be verified, and all volunteers are CORIED.
Holliston is apart of Massachusetts Region 4, which is part of a national program. For more on the history of MRC , visit http://www.MedicalReserveCorps.gov.
This program has funds available (not town money) to promote, organize and support activities of the MRC .
Please consider volunteering. Click here for an application form.