Town Meeting to be Held for Hanover Area Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Recruitment
May 17, 2004

The Hanover Area Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will present a Town Meeting to help raise awareness and enlist volunteers, according to Todd Abrisch, Administrative Director.

The Town Meeting will take place Saturday, May 22, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., at the Hanover Community Health & Education Center, 400 York Street, Hanover.

Anyone age 16 and over, living in York, Adams, or Carroll counties, with interest in the MRC is invited to attend. While no specific background is required, individuals with training or expertise in the following fields are especially needed: nurses, doctors, firemen, police, veterinarians, engineers, food workers, clergy, lifeguards, EMTs, paramedics, paralegals, clerks, medical examiners, morgue workers, veterans, public works, mental health, social services, pharmacists, translators, dentistry, security, healthcare workers, medical receptionists.

Hanover Hospital was awarded a federal grant to organize and administer a community-based Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit, comprised of volunteers who would assist in the event of a local emergency health situation. Hanover was chosen as one of only 5 areas in Pennsylvania to receive the funding, a total of $150,000 to be paid in $50,000 increments over a three-year period.

The MRC concept came about when President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps in response to the outpouring of support in the days following September 11. The Medical Reserve Corps is one way that health professionals can volunteer to strengthen both our communities and our nation. Medical Reserve Corps units will be locally-based health volunteers who will be trained to assist their own communities during large-scale emergencies, such as an influenza epidemic, a chemical spill, or an act of terrorism. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will also work together year-round to improve the overall health and well-being of their neighborhoods and communities.

For additional information about the Hanover Area Medical Reserve Corps, or the upcoming Town Meeting, contact Todd Abrisch, at (717) 646-6861.