OnCall For Vermont

Volunteering

Are you interested in volunteering to help out your community? Consider reaching out to your local MRC unit and join today!

In an emergency, your neighbor may need a hand. How about yours?

Anyone can join the Medical Reserve Corps and learn the skills necessary to help out your neighbors and community members in the event of an emergency.

Vermont thrives on volunteer efforts—and never is that truer than during emergencies. From trained medical professionals who respond daily to citizen volunteers who step up during natural disasters, Vermonters like you make all the difference in our communities’ health, safety, and preparedness. OnCall for Vermont offers two opportunities for health-focused volunteering–Medical Reserve Corps and Emergency Medical Services.

Medical Reserve Corps

Vermont’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units are community-focused volunteers who supplement local public health and emergency response resources. They receive training in emergency preparedness, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and promote public health throughout the year. Part of the national MRC network, Vermont’s eight MRC units are a shining light in their community.

The first step to joining the MRC is registering with the Vermont Volunteer Responder Management System. This will connect you with your local MRC unit to learn more about the program.

Register here!

Watch the video below to learn why some members of Vermont's MRC group joined!

Emergency Medical Services

Vermont’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) volunteers often see people on the worst day of their lives–providing timely care to help Vermonters in their most critical times of need. When a call comes in, you never quite know what to expect. These dynamic and unpredictable situations require a high level of coordinated teamwork–a cornerstone of the EMS experience.

Find a Volunteer EMS Opportunity

Volunteer of the Month: Debbie Boyce

What was your reason for joining the Medical Reserve Corps program?

My emergency medical assistance stemmed from being a member of the Brandon area rescue squad, and CERT, Citizen’s Emergency Response Team. My CERT work transitioned into joining MRC as a result of 9/11 and the need to have identifiable, background-checked response people available. Background checks are essential on going as we are working with the public and they need to feel safe. The Surgeon General trained units across the United States to walk and talk the same response verbiage and be able to network with other agencies. I was one of the founding leaders in Vermont and have stayed active in MRC. I am able to utilize my training in sheltering from the Red Cross to help with MRC.

Tell us about your professional experience.

I am a retired educator of 30 years, K through 12 special education. I also retired from Brandon Rescue Squad after 22 years with my last certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. In 2017, I became a Red Cross disaster responder. Much of the curriculum in Red Cross is equal to the Medical Reserve Corps with the exception of the deployment requests.

What’s something we should know about you?

I love to keep busy and have had my hands in many different pots over the years. I am a transit driver with a CDL license. I have worked with foster and adoptive families. I am involved with town committees to stay in touch with my hometown of Brandon. I ran a summer camp for Green Mountain Council for four summers for over 200 campers. I also researched and produced a half hour TV segment for PEG TV related to many of the topics MRC promotes, such as health prevention, tick awareness, need for sunscreen, etc. The title of the show was Be Aware to Be Prepared.

What was your favorite moment, or most memorable experience of your MRC work?

My most memorable experience was erecting the portable hospital in the parking lot of the Grand Hotel on the top of Killington with heavy winds and having a certain amount of people to work with. We got it built in two hours. Compare that to erecting it in the fieldhouse at Middlebury College with no winds and to be able to see the difference of the strength and mindset that was needed in the different events.

What are your parting words to anyone considering joining the MRC?

The feeling of when you're done cannot be described in words other than to say that we are benefitting and feeling good about helping others during their trials and tribulations. This is why I have adopted the cooling systems during the warm months of the year. I utilize that time to get to know others that I might not have known if I was not a part of that event, or I get to say hi to past friends and acquaintances.