The mission of the Lakes Region Medical Reserve Corps (LR-MRC) is to improve the health and safety of the Lakes Region by organizing and utilizing public health and medical volunteers to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
What is the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)?
- A national program that focuses on organizing and utilizing medical and public health volunteers.
- MRC units work to strengthen local public health systems and provide help in emergencies.
Why was the MRC founded?
- On September 11, 2001, thousands of spontaneous volunteers could not be used due to liability, training and management issues.
- To ensure that volunteers would be trained and ready to help respond to emergencies, the MRC was launched in 2002.
- Today, well over 800 local MRC units exist across the nation with more than 200,000 volunteers.
How can LR-MRC volunteers help in local emergencies?
- Conducting assessments and triage.
- Staffing vaccination clinics.
- Staffing emergency treatment centers.
- Supporting local emergency response partners.
What trainings are available to MRC volunteers?
- Introduction to Incident Command System
- Personal Preparedness
- Psychological First Aid
- First Aid/ CPR
- Disaster Life Support
- Sheltering
Who can be a MRC Volunteer?
During a public health emergency, MRC volunteers are component of a successful response. Volunteers may include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Retired medical professionals
- Veterinarians
- First responders
- Mental health counselors
- Public health professionals
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Social workers
LR-MRC is affiliated with the statewide pre-credentialing system for health care providers interested in volunteering. Visit iCanHelp.NH.gov for more information.
For more information contact:
Michelle Whitenack, MEd, CHES
Lakes Region MRC Coordinator
The time for volunteers to become involved in emergency response is now
– before an incident occurs.
