- Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) -
Overview | Resources & Quick Links | Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) | (MRC) Training | Preparedness-101
Overview
Our MRC was established in 2007 and currently has 20 members but growing rapidly every day. These members are diverse in experience and capabilities as all come from different walks of life and live across our jurisdiction. Our MRC has participated in immunization clinics, PPE distribution, and hospital assistance during times of surges. We have a strong relationship with our neighboring MRC units and are always actively looking to further collaborate, whether it’s through deployments or informing the public on what we do as an organization. We hold regional meetings that create a space for information sharing and allow us to respond in a unified manner.
In the efforts of COVID-19, our fully functional immunization dispensing area was built to bolster our vaccine rate and serve as a self-sufficient area that reduced mobility of equipment, further saving time that could be used for vaccination efforts. As most did, our challenges concentrated mostly on staff shortages and meeting the demands of the community with limited vaccine inventory, especially in the early stages of vaccines. Our MRC was used not only in this immunization space but in our surrounding four points of dispensing areas that serve our large jurisdiction. We have also hosted outreach support spaces in the fight for positive mental health coping skills throughout the pandemic. We hope to continue this in the future along with sustaining our vaccine capabilities as needed.
Along with response to COVID, we served as our community beacon for enhancing preparedness and building on community capability. We provided training such as Stop the Bleed, CPR Training, and basic community preparedness techniques, along with engaging our community through fairs and equitable messaging. We also hold strong partnerships with other key community stakeholders such as our fire departments, police departments, local CERT teams, and vulnerable population agencies that address key needs in our community.
The District's Health Alert Network (HAN) is perpetually updated, as it serves as TAHD's primary means of communication during a public health emergency. The HAN serves as an invaluable tool when we need to enlist the services of our volunteers. We also provide messaging to our community partners through RAVE which allows for fast and reliable direct messaging.
Our MRC was established in 2007 and currently has 20 members but growing rapidly every day. These members are diverse in experience and capabilities as all come from different walks of life and live across our jurisdiction. Our MRC has participated in immunization clinics, PPE distribution, and hospital assistance during times of surges. We have a strong relationship with our neighboring MRC units and are always actively looking to further collaborate, whether it’s through deployments or informing the public on what we do as an organization. We hold regional meetings that create a space for information sharing and allow us to respond in a unified manner.
In the efforts of COVID-19, our fully functional immunization dispensing area was built to bolster our vaccine rate and serve as a self-sufficient area that reduced mobility of equipment, further saving time that could be used for vaccination efforts. As most did, our challenges concentrated mostly on staff shortages and meeting the demands of the community with limited vaccine inventory, especially in the early stages of vaccines. Our MRC was used not only in this immunization space but in our surrounding four points of dispensing areas that serve our large jurisdiction. We have also hosted outreach support spaces in the fight for positive mental health coping skills throughout the pandemic. We hope to continue this in the future along with sustaining our vaccine capabilities as needed.
Along with response to COVID, we served as our community beacon for enhancing preparedness and building on community capability. We provided training such as Stop the Bleed, CPR Training, and basic community preparedness techniques, along with engaging our community through fairs and equitable messaging. We also hold strong partnerships with other key community stakeholders such as our fire departments, police departments, local CERT teams, and vulnerable population agencies that address key needs in our community.
The District's Health Alert Network (HAN) is perpetually updated, as it serves as TAHD's primary means of communication during a public health emergency. The HAN serves as an invaluable tool when we need to enlist the services of our volunteers. We also provide messaging to our community partners through RAVE which allows for fast and reliable direct messaging.
Resources
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To register with the Medical Reserve Corps as a volunteer for medical or non-medical missions, visit CT Responds! page on the state's Department of Health website and register. When volunteer opportunities arise, your unit leader will reach out to you and other volunteers that match the needs based on profile completeness, skills, trainings, medical licensure verification, and availability. [Learn More]
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The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of more than 300,000 volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. MRC volunteers step up to keep their family, friends, and neighbors safe and healthy. Learn more about the MRC on the ASPR Website. [Learn More]
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In Connecticut, MRC counts with 25 units made up of over 5,000 volunteers, grouped into the five Emergency Support Function-8 – Public Health regions of the state. Volunteers include medical and non-medical individuals. MRC units engage these volunteers, as well as local and state-level partners to strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities, and build community resiliency. [Learn More]
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There are 700 locations across the United States. Use this tool to find a local MRC location nearest to you. [Learn More]
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How to Volunteer
Torrington Area MRC welcomes volunteers from all occupations: our Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) roster includes physicians, pharmacists, nurses, EMTs, and public health professionals, along with tradespeople, teachers, Information Technology specialists, stay-at-home-parents, retirees, and many other people looking to join our cause(s). While Covid remains at the forefront of Torrington Area MRC’s response efforts, volunteers are also needed to staff seasonal influenza clinics and help assist our community health team with programs such as mental health/ suicide prevention or opioid awareness. We are always open to mitigating the needs of our community and adapt our efforts around them.
Our unit is part of a national network [https: www.PHE.gov/MRC] administered by the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness & Response.
We are also located in Region 5 for Connecticut’s MRC network which allows us to work closely with neighboring units Housatonic Valley MRC, Danbury MRC, and Naugatuck Valley MRC for better response capabilities.
Torrington Area MRC welcomes volunteers from all occupations: our Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) roster includes physicians, pharmacists, nurses, EMTs, and public health professionals, along with tradespeople, teachers, Information Technology specialists, stay-at-home-parents, retirees, and many other people looking to join our cause(s). While Covid remains at the forefront of Torrington Area MRC’s response efforts, volunteers are also needed to staff seasonal influenza clinics and help assist our community health team with programs such as mental health/ suicide prevention or opioid awareness. We are always open to mitigating the needs of our community and adapt our efforts around them.
Our unit is part of a national network [https: www.PHE.gov/MRC] administered by the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness & Response.
We are also located in Region 5 for Connecticut’s MRC network which allows us to work closely with neighboring units Housatonic Valley MRC, Danbury MRC, and Naugatuck Valley MRC for better response capabilities.
