The
Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps (WMRC) was federally approved on March 11, 2006 and is based in
Hubbardston, Ma. Several years ago, the community of Hubbardston put together a ‘Health
Committee’ based on a model presented at a DPH (Department of Public Health) conference. This committee had provided
nursing volunteers for vaccine clinics, BP clinics, home visits as needed and a Health Fair sponsored by the Board of Health
every 3 years. WMRC started from this group of nurses and other healthcare and non-healthcare providers from the surrounding
area.
The Wachusett
MRC is a 501(c)3 non profit organization with a team approach of government. It is a ‘nurse run’ unit that
values each member's contribution as valid. We keep lines of communication open through
emails, frequent website updates, and training meetings. Any member of the Executive Board is available for discussion of
ideas.
The Wachusett MRC is one of over 900 units across the nation. The
structure of each MRC unit varies, depending on its own unique requirements and on the needs of the people and community that
it serves. Volunteers donate their time and expertise in the area where they live, making it easier for them to help their
own family, neighborhood and community. Some MRC units may also prepare volunteers in advance
for their roles, helping to ensure a prompt and effective emergency response.
MRC
volunteers can serve a vital role by assisting their communities with ongoing public health needs. This can be accomplished
through community health profiles that identify needs, developing educational programs, providing screening clinics and working
with the local health officials as a resource for public health initiatives that they may target as important to their specific
community. The role of the healthcare community in disaster preparation is to identify resources applicable
to physical, social and psychological effects of a disaster, to identify population groups that are at the greatest risk during
a disaster, to provide disaster education in advance of the event, and to take responsibility for the health of the community
following a disaster. Part of our role in disaster planning is to support community disaster planning, assist in
determining community health hazards, and assist to determine existing measures and resources that aid and reduce the impact
of a given hazard. We are not the planners, we are a resource for the planners with volunteers who have been screened
for skills and credentialed per MRC guidelines.
Health professionals (current, retired,
or otherwise employed) and others with backgrounds such as clerical, childcare, legal, clergy, are invited to join our MRC
to use their skills in many areas such as Clinical Medical Services, Counseling/Social Services, Education, Food and Board
Services, Financial Assistance, Administration, Advisory Boards, and as a Legal Consultants to help the organization
to grow and shape its future to meet the needs of the communities of north Worcester County.