DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

HUNTERDON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

WELCOME TO THE HUNTERDON COUNTY
MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS!

WHAT IS THE MRC?

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Often, the first response to a disaster is a local response. After September 11, 2001, America saw an outpouring of willing volunteers who were able to provide essential services in a time of tragedy. As a result of this, the Bush administration set up Citizen Corps. The MRC is acomponent of the Citizen Corps, which was formed through the federal government's USA Freedom Corps.

Our volunteers
Our unit was born in 2004. A diverse membership comprises approximately equal numbers of health professionals, either practicing or retired, and non-medical volunteers.

Your willingness to volunteer special skills and knowledge is what the MRC is all about. The MRC enables you to contribute your expertise when and where it is needed, such as during an influenza epidemic, a natural disaster, a public health crisis, even in the aftermath of acts of terrorism.

The purpose of the Medical Reserve Corps is to recruit and train volunteers to make our communities better prepared to respond to any public health emergency situation. The MRC provides a unique opportunity for community members to participate in a wide range of public-hearth related activities. Trained volunteers assist existing health department staff during large scale public health emergencies, such as influenza outbreaks, a bioterrorism attack, or any other hazardous situation. The MRC also educates its volunteers in ways to make their families and homes safer in the event of terrorism, natural disasters, unusual outbreaks, or any other emergency situations.

Above previous MRC Coordinator Kristin Brown trains MRC members about the complexities of operating a "POD."  These "Points of Dispensing" sites will be set up around the county to offer fast medication access to large populations during times of public health emergencies.  MRC members will play a significant role in helping manage the flow of the public through the PODs.

PROGRAMS