The first response to any disaster is a local response.   When disaster strikes, do you long to help victims, families and communities put the pieces back together?   Do you have professional experience in health care, emergency services, social work, or mental health or a related field?    If your answer is yes, then you should think about joining the Medical Reserve Corps of Southwestern Vermont.   The Medical Reserve Corps is a local volunteer organization of professionals with experience in health care and related services. By joining the Medical Reserve Corps, these volunteers stand ready to assist their communities during emergencies, such as an influenza epidemic, a chemical spill, or an act of terrorism.   Who can volunteer? Practicing and retired medical professionals (doctors, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, nurses' assistants) Social Workers Mental Health Professionals Dentists Veterinarians Public health professionals Even community members without medical training can volunteer to help support the medical volunteers. What do Medical Reserve Corps volunteers do? Volunteers stand ready to mobilize to assist existing health care providers during a crisis. When a disaster strikes, how well a community responds during the the first 12 to 72 hours determines the outcome of the disaster. By providing trained hands, Medical Corps volunteers can help keep the health care system and the emergency responders from becoming overwhelmed. They fill gaps in our emergency response system to help ensure that no ones needs are overlooked.   The Medical Reserve Corps of Southwestern Vermont is run by Southwestern Vermont Health Care, the Green Mountain Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Vermont State Health Department and the US Dept. of Health and Human Services' National Medical Reserve Corps.   You can volunteer by Registering. Simply fill out the form provided and your information will go into the Medical Reserve Corps database. Your information will be encrypted and stored using the highest security standards in the industry -- the same standards used by major credit card companies to protect their clients.   By volunteering for the Medical Reserve Corps,              You are giving your best when your community is in greatest need