Local Organization Poised to Respond in Case of Public Emergency
Burlington's division of the national Medical Reserve Corps network responds to public emergency and holds events to support public health.
They hide in plain sight all around Burlington: Volunteers, poised to respond in case of a public emergency or health need. Your neighbors, trained and ready to fill needs from staffing a first-aid table at a town event to meeting the community's needs during a global health crisis.
The Burlington Volunteer Reserve Corps (BVRC), a division of the Medical Reserve Corps, a national but locally-organized network of volunteers committed "to improve the health and safety of their communities." Volunteers for the BVRC participate in trainings throughout the year that prepare them to run things like no-cost vaccine clinics for kids and adults, the town's semi-annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day and annual Health Fair, free blood pressure screenings, and preventive programs such as Stop the Bleed, A Matter of Balance, and CarFit. The group also responded quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, supporting vaccine administration and contact tracing.
An elected Executive Committee steers this work, supported by subcommittees in areas such as Recruitment & Retention, Public Education & Outreach, and a recently-formed Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion subcommittee. These meetings, along with the quarterly and annual meetings, help guide the BVRC's direction over the course of the year as well as providing opportunities to highlight members and foster connection among volunteers.
In addition to providing trainings, members of the BVRC also participate in trainings to keep them up-to-date with the information they need to support the public health needs of the town. From basic to more advanced, volunteers learn CPR and what to do until help arrives in an emergency as well as how the response and communication are coordinated during a large-scale crisis and much more.
The BVRC also partners with local organizations such as Lahey Hospital, the Council on Aging, the Police Department, and more, to ensure proper interplay between these organizations to meet the needs of the community and its residents.
Any adult who wishes to collaborate with other volunteers to enhance public health and respond to Burlington's needs is encouraged to join the BVRC. According to the website, "BVRC volunteers are your neighbors and co-workers who are practicing or retired physicians, nurses, social workers, accountants, interpreters, clergy, dentists, administrators, and anyone else who wants to share their skills. They find great satisfaction in knowing they are making their community safer and healthier for everyone."
Join and learn more about the benefits of being a member at the BVRC website.