The Cape May County Medical Reserve Corps’ (MRC) mission is to establish a
network of local volunteer medical and non-medical residents who can contribute
their skills and expertise throughout the County to prepare for and respond to
public health emergencies as well as assist with other Health Department
initiatives to improve the health of the community.
Our Plan
The Cape May County MRC enhances the County’s emergency preparedness efforts
by ensuring that a trained group of healthcare professionals and community
volunteers are ready to assist the County in response to a public health
emergency.
In the event of a major disease outbreak, bio-terrorism incident, or natural
disaster, the Cape May County Health Department, in conjunction with community
partners, is preparing to open multiple Point of Dispensing (POD) sites
throughout the County. These POD sites will serve to distribute medications or
vaccinations to large segments of the County’s population.
MRC members, both clinical and non-clinical, will be key in staffing the POD
sites. Non-clinical volunteers will perform administrative support roles such as
registration, data entry, language translation, crowd control, and assisting
with special needs residents. Clinical (medical) volunteers would be integrated
with Health Department staff to conduct medically-appropriate tasks.
Our Volunteers
Major events within the U.S., such as the terrorist attacks of September 11,
2001, Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, and the H1N1 Pandemic of 2009 have
highlighted the need for medical, public health, and non-medical volunteers to
aid their communities in preparing for and responding to emergencies. The Cape
May County MRC provides an organized opportunity for community members to become
trained to volunteer their services during all times of need.
The first response to any disaster is a local response. Being prepared to handle
a large-scale emergency is a challenge for any community. A Medical Reserve
Corps (MRC) assists its community to be exceptionally prepared by enlisting its
residents to mobilize quickly to minimize disability, death and emotional trauma
resulting from an emergency. A major emergency has the potential to quickly
overwhelm existing public health, emergency, medical, and behavioral health
resources. Trained Cape May County MRC volunteers can enhance the efforts of the
full-time emergency response personnel, providing much needed supplemental aid
during an emergency.
In addition, non-emergent, but important initiatives arise within the community
in which additional support, skill, and manpower are needed to help keep a
community healthy and safe.
ANYONE 18 years of age or older can volunteer to become a member of the Cape May
County MRC. Any member with current licensures or certifications will need to
provide a copy for our records. Members should anticipate being contacted to
volunteer during an emergency or non-emergent public health event.
Make a difference. Being part of an organized volunteer group means you have the
greatest potential to make an impact ensuring a quick return to stability within
your community after a public health emergency.
Use your skills in a helpful way. All types of skills are needed. The Cape May
County MRC will help you apply your skills where they are needed most. Because
of the training that you will receive through the MRC, you will be better
prepared to help yourself and others during an emergency.
Stay connected. As a Cape May County MRC volunteer, you will be among the first
who are notified when an emergency happens. You will receive periodic
newsletters on topics related to public health preparedness, terrorism threats,
emerging diseases, pandemic influenza and advanced notice of specialized
trainings in your community. You will also meet others who have experience and
insight in emergency preparedness.
Expectations of a Cape May County MRC volunteer
Cape May County MRC volunteers will be expected to participate in basic
emergency preparedness orientation and training. These trainings (some are
on-line) will help prepare you for participation in the event of an emergency
and provide you with knowledge on personal preparedness. Activities in which
volunteers can expect to be involved will vary depending on the volunteer’s
level of commitment and the situation at hand. Members with a specific skill set
may be called upon to help educate other MRC members on public health and
emergency preparedness topics.
During times of non-emergency, opportunities for participation might arise. Cape
May County MRC volunteers may be asked to participate in on-going public health
activities such as public health outreach, health fairs, and any other health
department-initiated activity.
What Are the Benefits of Volunteering?
There are a number of benefits to be gained by joining the MRC including:
Helping Cape May County to better prepare for and respond to public
health emergencies
Accomplishing rewarding work
Getting to know your community better
Acquiring new skills, knowledge and training
Building references
Earning continuing education and community service credits
Cape May County Department of Health
C/o Community Health Planning Department
4 Moore Road DN601
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
FAX: (609) 465 – 6580
CALL: (609) 465 - 6689
Cape May County MRC Newsletters
The Cape May County MRC distributes quarterly newsletters to our membership.
Our newsletters contain information on events, trainings, volunteer
opportunities, and important news. Click on the titles to see the newsletters.
(Requires Adobe reader)
