Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, thousands of Americans responded by volunteering their talents and skills to help others. At the time many citizens asked "What can I do to help?" In response, the President of the United States formed the Citizen Corps to create local opportunities for individuals to help their communities prepare for and respond to large scale emergencies. Realizing that Public Health could not provide all the resources in an emergency or fulfill the requirements recently expected of us by the federal government and CDC, the five towns and two cities (Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence, Reading, North Reading and Lynnfield) that comprise the Greater Lawrence Preparedness Coalition, formed the Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is part of a National response team under Citizen Corps and the Office of the Surgeon General. We currently have 110 medical and non-medical volunteers. These volunteers will assist in public health or town emergencies and participate in community service projects in the seven member communities. MRC members will be pre-credentialed and trained in Emergency Dispensing sites, sheltering, Incident Command System, and numerous emergency response topics. They will be essential responders if a pandemic or another natural disaster were to occur. The MRC will remain active between events by participating in training and drills in collaboration with the Emergency Preparedness Coalition and the Health Departments. There are currently 40 units in Massachusetts, and over 800 units across the country.

Training


The Medical Reserve Corps recognizes that many volunteers have limited time. Therefore, volunteers can customize their level of activity by choosing their own personal level of involvement. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are asked to fill out an application form and attend an initial orientation. All trainings are free of charge and the general public is invited to participate. If you are interested in joining please contact:

John Lamond, Coordinator
Greater River Valley MRC
Town Offices
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

Phone: 978-623-8648
Email the GRVMRC

Resources