Medical Reserve Corps
Central Middlesex MRC
Volunteers Building Strong, Healthy, and Prepared Communities
Upcoming Schedule
About Us
The Central Middlesex MRC is part of the national Medical Reserve Corps network of volunteers. The national MRC network comprises 989 community-based units and almost 200,000 volunteers located throughout the United States and its territories. MRC volunteers include both medical and public health professionals and community members with non-medical, but equally valuable, backgrounds.
CMMRC serves the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Winchester and Woburn.
About Our Volunteers
MRC volunteers are a dedicated crew! While many come from the communities in which they reside, residency is not required. Nor is a medical background, though our membership includes many dedicated doctors, EMT's, nurses, paramedics, veterinarians and other health professionals. The only requirement is an interest in serving the greater community during times of need such as the health emergency surge during the covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather events, but also during "blue sky" events where community presence is welcome.
Volunteers: click here to manage your MA Responds MRC profileAbout the MRC
During the events of September 11, 2001, it became clear that there was no method for coordinating the services of thousands of well-meaning volunteers, who showed up at disaster scenes wanting to help. There was no mechanism for checking credentials and assigning volunteers where they could do the most good, and no pre-planning to ensure their safety. Nor had these volunteers been trained in methods that would allow them to work effectively as a team, interacting smoothly with other agencies at the scene. In fact, the presence of unidentified care providers created numerous problems, and potentially put trained rescuers at risk.
After September 11, 2001, the federal government identified a number of ways that citizens could participate in emergency preparedness activities at the local, state, and national levels. Over time, an umbrella organization called Citizen Corps was created to engage potential volunteers in disaster response, as well as to maintain public safety and preparedness. Citizen Corps includes CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams), Fire Corps, USAonWatch (an expanded Neighborhood Watch), VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service), and the Medical Reserve Corps. See https://www.ready.gov/citizen-corps for more details about Citizen Corps.
The first grants to launch the Medical Reserve Corps were issued in July 2002. The organization was renamed to the Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps, and the structure expanded, in January 2009. In 2011, the Surgeon General’s office restructured some of its agencies, and the MRC was renamed as a division. The DCVMRC reported directly to the U.S. Surgeon General until 2014, when responsibilities were transitioned to the ASPR: Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
The Medical Reserve Corps Program Office is the national office of the MRC and is housed within the Readiness Division, Office of Emergency Management and Medical Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
For even more detail about ASPR and its initiatives, go to https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC
Click here for more about the national MRC programNews and Announcements
Join Us!
The Central Middlesex Medical Reserve Corps always welcomes dedicated medical and non-medical volunteers
who are committed to building strong, healthy, and prepared communities.
Start your application now at maresponds.org (direct link below)
or use the contact form below to send us any questions, comments or inquiries.
