The Medical Reserve Corps consists of professional citizen volunteers who are willing to assist their community during public health emergencies, such as influenza epidemics, natural disasters or acts of terrorism. Volunteers may also participate in health education and awareness, local health campaigns, special events and immunization clinics.

Based in the Office of the United States Surgeon General, the Medical Reserve Corps is designed to address local health problems and enhance our capacity to respond to disasters or public health emergencies.

The Broome County Health Department received funding in 2002 to establish a community-based, citizen volunteer Medical Reserve Corps Unit to operate in conjunction with the Broome County Office of Emergency Services and other local agencies during a natural or man-made disaster, disease outbreak or other community threat.

In the event of a public health emergency, Medical Reserve Corps volunteers provide surge capacity for existing emergency services in Broome, Chenango and Tioga Counties. The Unit also provides a core group of trained medical professionals who can be called upon to assist with ongoing public health surveillance activities in Broome County when there is a need for additional support. These functions of the Medical Reserve Corps Unit help strengthen and increase the capacity of our regional public health system to effectively respond to community health concerns as they occur.

The Medical Reserve Corps is now in its sixth year. Active or retired health professionals and others interested in providing support are being recruited as volunteers from our community. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, EMT's, social workers, clergy and community volunteers have enrolled in the program and attended orientation sessions.

Training has been provided in Basic and Advanced Life Support, Basic First Aid and Red Cross Disaster Services, Clinic Management and Mass Vaccination. We are currently planning training in Pandemic Flu Response, Sheltering and Mass Clinic operations. Volunteers have also been trained to assist with communicable disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and community education.

During the past year, MRC volunteers participated in a large Pandemic Flu Drill at BCC, assisted health department clinic staff with flu clinics throughout the Fall, attended training on Disease Surveillance and Contact Tracing, took part in Red Cross classes about disaster response and played a significant role in public health initiatives by staffing the Binghamton University TB testing program along with health department staff.

Anyone interested in volunteering can apply on-line and a coordinator will contact you with an enrollment packet.

Yes! I am interested in the Medical Reserve Corps.

Broome County MRC Newsletters
Spring/Summer 2007
Spring/Summer 2004

Broome County MRC Brochure
Citizen Volunteers Helping Our Communities