There are two opportunities to volunteer with the Essex County Health Department. Find out specifics and sign up below!
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of more than 300,000 volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. Essex County MRC volunteers step up to keep their family, friends and neighbors safe and healthy.
County Animal Response Team (CART)
When emergencies happen, our animals need us! The role of County Animal Response Teams (CART); how volunteers are activated and how they can help pets & livestock. Leave the training ready to serve Essex County! We can also connect you with Clinton and Franklin County CARTS.
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
Who can volunteer?
Anyone! You do not have to have a medical or healthcare background to be an MRC volunteer.
We are also always looking for practicing or retired licensed, registered or certified
healthcare workers, such as:
- CNAs EMTs
- Nurses Healthcare
- Students
- Physicians NPs/ PAs/ CNMs
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Counselors
- Therapists
- Veterinarians
Why should I volunteer?
By volunteering you can:
- Directly impact the health of our community
- Connect with other volunteers, and
- Keep skills current after retirement.
What do Essex County MRC volunteers do?
Volunteers help local emergency and the health department in a variety of settings,
Including:
- Large health emergencies
- Public outreach activities
- Health Department drills and trainings
- Vaccine clinics
- Interested volunteers may also assist with the operation and deployment of other volunteers
To Join the Essex County Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corps: Complete the steps below ⬇️⬇️
Communication is through email, you must have an email address to join the MRC.
Create a NYSDOH ServNY account (NYS’s standardized volunteer registration program for for disaster and public health emergencies)
**ALL of our communications comes through ServNY**
Complete Essex County Health Dept Agreements
Fill out and complete the Essex County’s MRC Application & Attestation (opens in a new tab).
Following the events of September 11, 2001, it became clear that there was a need for coordinating the services of thousands of well-meaning volunteers who showed up at disaster scenes wanting to help. There was a need for a mechanism for checking credentials, assigning volunteers where they could do the most good, and pre-planning to ensure their safety. It was evident volunteers needed to be trained to work effectively as a team while interacting with other agencies at a scene.
The Office of the U. S. Surgeon General announced the formation of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program in 2002. The overall goal of the national initiative is to establish teams of local volunteer medical professionals and laypersons to contribute their skills and expertise during times of public health emergencies.
Learn more about the National Profile of the MRC in this 2017 Network Profile Report.
County Animal Response Team (CART)
The CART is a specialty team of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), so CART volunteers must first join the MRC. CART members also need to complete 4 additional trainings.
The County Animal Response Team (CART) is made up of volunteers trained and ready to respond to emergencies affecting pets and livestock.
Volunteers can declare their interest in small animals (household pets) and/or large animals (horses, and livestock). Activities include animal care, transport, sheltering, uniting and more.
Complete Essex County Health Department Trainings.
- County Animal Response Team Orientation
IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Fill out and complete the Essex County’s CART Application & Attestation (opens in a new tab).
Additional helpful CART training (not required):
5. IS-10.A: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness