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The MRPC is the offical name for the HMCC Region 4AB, which includes 60 communities in 5 counties in the Metro Boston area of Massachusetts. The HMCC represents stakeholders in 6 core disciplines that collaborate to strengthen public health and healthcare system capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
The MRPC oversees 4 main programs: the Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions (HMCC) Region 4AB, the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP), and 7 Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) Units.
The MRPC exists to enhance regional health and medical readiness for emergency events through collaborative work with the following disciplines:
Community Health Centers (CHCs) provide primary, preventive, metal health, and dental care, substance use disorder services, and other community-based services to anyone in need. There are 9 CHC's within the MRPC. The Mass League of CHCs is a vital MRPC stakeholder that aims to promote health equity for all through supporting CHC's in achieving their goals of accessible, quality, comprehensive, and community responsive healthcare.
Emergency Management is the process of managing a multitude of situations within a universal structure knows as the Incident Command System (ICS). The MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) represents local Emergency Management Directors (EMDs) and includes regional MRPC stakeholders. The MRPC also closely collaborates with the MA Department of Public Health's (MDPH) Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM).
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a system that provides emergency medical care such as on-scene triage, care, treatment, and transportation of patients. There are 72 EMS agencies within the Region 4AB HMCC, including both private ambulance companies and city or town lead fire department EMS. A close partner of the MRPC is the Metro Boston Emergency Medical Services Council (MBEMSC) which aids in supporting, strengthening, and promoting the quality of EMS.
There are 13 acute care hospitals within the MRPC, with each facility participating in the federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinators meet regularly with MRPC stakeholders to work on joint initiatives, such as the development of regional caches for supplies and resources, the coordination of plans.
There is a network of 101 Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) within the MRPC, including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. The MA Long Term Care Mutual Aid Program (MassMAP) is a vital MRPC stakeholder. Through particiation in MassMAP, these facilities have developed processes and plans to respond to and recover from a variety of emergencies and hazards, including the need to evacuate residents.
There are 60 Health Departments corresponding to the 60 communities within the MRPC. Health Departments have a complex set of responsibilities, including enforcement of state sanitary, environmental, housing, and health codes, providing community health services, including flu clinics, investigating reportable diseases, isolation/quarantine notices, and emergency preparedness planning and response.
MRPC membership is primarily comprised of the 6 core disciplines that receive preparedness and response funding through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). However, membership in the MRPC is open to all, and includes additional health and medical stakeholders, such as home healthcare agencies, behavioral health providers, and dialysis providers. To learn more about joining the MRPC, please reach out via email to hmcc@challiance.org.