Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You've worked hard in your career to master a variety of skills – in medicine, public health, safety, logistics, communications, or any number of other areas. Volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps is a simple and effective way to use and improve those skills while helping to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe and healthy. For example, you may put those skills to use during an emergency, or while providing services for the most vulnerable members of your community. 

People volunteer for many reasons, but some volunteer for the MRC because:

• It's a way to offer their skills that might not have been used before because they were not adequately prepared to be part of the response effort.
• It's a significant benefit to communities because skilled volunteers offer services during the year to augment existing public health efforts or provide emergency backup that would not otherwise be available.

MRC volunteers train ─ individually and with other members of the unit ─ in order to improve their skills, knowledge, and abilities. Sometimes the training is coursework, and other times it is part of a drill or exercise conducted with partner organizations in the community. Continuing education units and credits are even available for some programs.

Many MRC volunteers assist with activities such as improving public health in their community – increasing health literacy, supporting prevention efforts, and eliminating health disparities. In an emergency, local resources get called upon first, sometimes with little or no warning. As a member of an MRC unit, you can be part of an organized and trained team that responds during a disaster or public health emergency. You will be ready and able to bolster local emergency planning and response capabilities.

The specific role that you will play, and the activities in which you will participate, will depend upon your background, interests, and skills, as well as the needs of the MRC unit and the community.

Every MRC unit is led by a local coordinator, who matches volunteer capabilities and schedules with local needs for emergency responses, public health initiatives, and planned events.

Many members are just like you – nurses, doctors, pharmacists, therapists, public health officials, and non-medical community members who believe in keeping your local area healthy, prepared, and resilient. They share your commitment to helping others and making a difference. You may also work closely with staff members from the local emergency management agency, hospital, or other organizations that partner with the MRC. In fact, the services that you provide may help these other organizations to meet their mission.

All MRC volunteers need to attend a new member orientation to the unit and its governing body, which includes an overview of the system in which the MRC's activities occur, whether in relation to emergency response, public health, or both. Training requirements for all volunteers are to be completed within 30 days of being accepted as a member of the online FEMA Independent Study courses: 

• IS 100 C Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS 700 B Introduction to the National Incident Management System

And the 

• New York State Health training course; Psychological First Aid.

Generally, volunteers receive training in primary emergency response, emergency management, and public health procedures, including basic life support and CPR; identifying the signs, symptoms, and treatment of hazardous materials (including nuclear, biological, and chemical agents); and basic first aid skills to deal with emergencies such as shock, allergic reactions, bleeding, broken bones, burns, choking, head trauma, heat exhaustion, and more. Additionally, support/administrative volunteers receive guidance on how to perform their particular functions, which vary depending on the needs of particular communities. 

All members that wish to remain in good standing are required to attend at least four unit activities per year which include two “Point of Dispensing” trainings one “Emergency Operations Center Orientation” and one drill/exercise. Overall, the training includes support skills training, communications, and incident Management. 

As members of the unit, you will have access to both state and national-level courses in such topics as emergency management, disaster preparedness and response, disaster recovery, health response, counter-terrorism, and many more. Some of these courses offer continuing education units and/or credits.

Ulster County covers the medical coverage of workers' compensation privileges that normally apply to regular workers. NYS has established laws covering liability for volunteers who are working within their training and scope and are not negligent.

During planned events, medical members provide health education, first aid, blood pressure screening, etc. During major emergencies that can overwhelm the capabilities of first responders, particularly during the first 12 to 72 hours; medical and other health volunteers can provide an important "surge" capacity during this critical period. They also can augment medical staffing shortages at local medical and emergency facilities like shelters. In short, communities often need medically trained individuals to fill in the gaps in their emergency response plans and to improve their response capabilities overall.

• Physicians (including surgeons, medical specialists, osteopaths)
• Physician Assistants
• Nurses (nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants)
• Pharmacists
• Dentists
• Dental Assistants
• Optometrists
• Veterinarians
• Emergency medical technicians
• Public health workers
• Epidemiologists
• Infectious disease specialists
• Toxicologists
• Mental health practitioners (psychologists, substance abuse counselors, social workers)
• Health educators/communicators
• Other medical and public health professionals

Individuals with a non-medical/healthcare background typically serve their community by assisting with administrative and other essential support functions including supporting the county emergency operations center. Possible types of administrative and other support volunteers include:

• Administrators and business managers
• Administrative assistants and office support staff
• Drivers
• Chaplains
• Trainers
• Volunteer coordinators
• Community/business planners
• Supply and logistics managers
• Interpreters/translators
• Amateur radio operators
• Other support personnel

MRC members do not have to be available all the time however they are required to attend at least four events/activities per year. The unit will conduct monthly training sessions and workshops throughout the year so making four events shouldn’t be too hard. Some volunteers may only be interested in making a minimal commitment during times of crisis or for other specific community needs. These preferences are respected, given that they can be accommodated by the MRC unit's mission and work plan.
The MRC unit coordinator matches community needs and member availability and whether they have other obligations, such as regular work responsibilities, that might conflict with serving the MRC in times of limited advanced notice. Different people will have different amounts of time to give. Some may not be available year-round, and others may need to be utilized throughout the year to remain engaged with the MRC.