What is the Medical Reserve Corp?

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was created in 2002 in response to the overwhelming volunteer interest following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Although many medical and public health professionals were eager to assist, there was no organized system to coordinate their efforts. The MRC was established to provide a structured, national framework to recruit, train, credential, and deploy volunteers in support of public health emergencies and community needs.

Today, the national MRC network includes approximately 800 units and 300,000 volunteers across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. These units help strengthen local public health infrastructure, reduce community vulnerability, and support preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during crises.

The Springfield MRC is part of this national network and operates under the direction of the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services. It is guided by local priorities, state regulations, and national MRC standards. Oversight and coordination are provided by a local MRC Unit Leader, who ensures that the unit’s volunteers are matched appropriately to the community’s needs—both in emergencies and for ongoing public health activities.

About Springfield MRC: History, Purpose, and Community Role

The Springfield Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was established to build a reliable, trained network of volunteers who can support the city's public health infrastructure during emergencies and through routine health initiatives. Our goal is to maintain a database of volunteers’ including information about their credentials and skills, while providing comprehensive training opportunities to volunteers.

Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds. While many have professional medical training, the majority are non-medical volunteers who play vital roles in logistics, registration, outreach, and more. The term “Medical Reserve Corps” reflects our origin and purpose, but it does not mean that all volunteers must be healthcare professionals. Every role—medical or non-medical—is essential to our mission.

How to Join the Springfield MRC

Becoming a Springfield MRC volunteer means stepping into a meaningful role that supports public health preparedness, emergency response, and community resilience. We encourage you to talk with your family and employer about your potential involvement, especially during emergency deployments. In order to sign up to volunteer, please follow the procedures outlined in this page. If you encounter any difficulties, need assistance with following the steps, or are curious about your current application status, please reach out to Ann Kissel at AKissel@springfieldcityhall.com.

Steps to Get Started:

• Apply: Submit your volunteer application form directly to the Unit Leader - AKissel@SpringfieldCityHall.com
• Register: Enroll in MA Responds, the statewide volunteer management system. This step verifies your credentials and connects you to the Springfield MRC unit: www.maresponds.org
• Complete Required Forms: To complete your registration in MA Responds, you’ll also need to submit: a photo ID, any relevant professional certifications, and consent to a CORI check. All required notary services related to the CORI check can be supplies by the Springfield MRC Unit, contact the Unit leader for more information. You’ll be asked to sign the Springfield MRC Volunteer Handbook Acknowledgment Form, confirming that you’ve read, understood, and agreed to the Volunteer Handbook, including Code of Conduct, Confidentiality Agreement, and Liability Acknowledgment.
• Attend Orientation: Orientation is required and provides an overview of the MRC program, volunteer roles and responsibilities, emergency preparedness basics, and a review of key expectations. Orientation is offered in-person routinely and communicated through the MA Responds outreach and can also be completed online as a self-paced training on MRC TRAINS
• Begin Training: Once you’ve completed orientation, you can begin working through core competency trainings to prepare for your role, along with additional deployment-specific trainings offered by Springfield MRC.

Training Opportunities

Virtual training sessions are available online for volunteers who are unable to attend in person. These additional courses are offered through MRC TRAIN, a national learning network for public health and emergency preparedness professionals. Volunteers may complete these trainings virtually and should:

1. Complete the evaluation for each course on the MRC TRAIN website
2. Submit the certificate of completion provided by MRC TRAIN to the Springfield Unit Leader for filing

These suggested trainings on MRC TRAINS are designed to support your knowledge and experience during potential deployments in Springfield. 

• Essential Elements: Massachusetts MRC 101
• Personal and Family Preparedness
• Introduction to Psychological First Aid
• Public Health Principles
• Basic First Aid
• IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• Disability and Disaster
• PODs (Points of Dispensing): Public Health Training for Staff and Volunteers
• Cultural Awareness: Introduction to Cultural Competency and Humility
• Short -and Long-term Considerations for Recovery

After registering with MA Responds, MRC members will receive updates on deployment opportunities and trainings. In addition to virtual trainings, in-person sessions will also be offered and communicated regularly to registered volunteers.

Springfield MRC Unit Contacts

Ann Kissel, Springfield MRC Unit Leader
(413) 787-6761
akissel@springfieldcityhall.com