Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps
Highlights from the Upper Valley MRC
The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed our volunteers to take a particularly visible and active role in the response to the virus. From April to December 2020, Upper Valley MRC members supported weekly district COVID-19 testing clinics in White River Junction and Springfield (VT) helping to triage clients at the sites, assisting with computer-based intake functions, and even performing tests. Our members contributed more than 1,000 hours of volunteer support in these positions. READ MORE
The Upper Valley Regional Public Health Network along with the Vermont Department of Health coordinates efforts to recruit, train, and deploy a volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) during public health emergencies. The MRC is housed under the City of Lebanon Fire Department and supports local emergency responders to provide emergency public health services throughout the region. MRC volunteers include medical, public health, and general professionals.
The Medical Reserve Corps was founded nationally in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was a way to standardize training and organize response for medical and non-medical volunteers who wish to support responders in times of public health emergencies. Unit 1776, the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps (UVMRC) was formed in 2008, and since then, we have expanded to a dedicated group who promotes community health initiatives on behalf of our local health departments, hospitals and community partners. We provide event support at flu clinics, medical tents at road races and fairs, education to students, scouts, and other groups and support positive health promotion wherever we are called on. We teach health focused courses such as Stop the Bleed, NARCAN administration, and host speakers on a variety of topics for our members and the public. In times of emergency we supplement the local capacity of our responders and health institutions. We are proud of our group and all they can do. Please consider joining us.
The Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps is composed of medical and non-medical volunteers dedicated to community health preparedness/education and response in emergencies. We are a bi-state team for NH and VT.
Visit the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps
Facebook page.
Orientation Sessions for New MRC Members — Join Us!
Wendy and Paul Manganiello, UV MRC Volunteers
Want to join our awesome volunteer force? Join us for a Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps new member orientation in March. Open to medical and non-medical volunteers 18+ in both NH and VT. Registration link below.
No Orientation Sessions are currently scheduled. Please Contact Nancy Kreis for dates and locations.
Stop the Bleed
You never know when you’ll come across an emergency. If you’ve ever seen a slip from a ladder, experienced a vehicle collision or worried about workplace violence, you know how quickly things can get out of hand. Stop the Bleed, a nationally accredited bleeding control class for laypersons, is being offered by our Medical Reserve Corps instructors. Attendees receive a FREE bleeding control kit courtesy of Upper Valley MRC.
No Stop the Bleed Trainings are currently scheduled. Please check back for new dates.
Stop the Bleed empowers members of the lay public with life-saving skills by teaching them the basic techniques of bleeding control in emergency situations. This 2 hour course is ideal for individuals or organizations, and our instructors come with a wealth of knowledge and experience. For more information contact Heather Rigney at Heather.Rigney@Vermont.gov.
To learn more about joining the Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps, email:
Why Join Medical Reserve Corps?
Benefits for you:
- Become personally better prepared for emergencies
- Free specialized disaster and emergency trainings
- Experience in disaster management and public health emergencies that may be applicable to work or other volunteer roles
- Learn new skills or stay proficient in existing skills
- Meet awesome, like-minded volunteers
Benefits for your community:
- Resiliency – your community builds capability right in your own back yard and is not as reliant on state and national resources
- Meets identified health needs/gaps through community partnerships, particularly in areas of medical need
- Gives community members an opportunity to make their communities healthier and safer
UVMRC Supports Community Activities:
Supports trainings open to the public
- CPR/First Aid
- Stop The Bleed
- Psychological First Aid
- And others
Provide medical support services (“med tents”) at races and other community events
Public education campaigns
- Personal emergency preparedness
- Car safety campaign in driver education classes
