FAQ
Why should I become an AVMRC volunteer?
The very existence of this movement is due to the willingness of volunteer medical, social work professionals, and private citizens to serve their communities in times of need. Without that generous offer of service, there would be no AVMRC.
- It's a significant benefit to communities because skilled volunteers offer services during the year to augment existing public health efforts or provide emergency backup that would not otherwise be available.
- It's a way to offer their skills that might not have been used before because they were not adequately prepared to be part of the response effort.
- It's a chance to belong to a group with a strong sense of mission and purpose.
- It's an opportunity to receive highly specialized and exclusive emergency services training.
What type of background do I need to become an AVMRC volunteer?
The AVMRC program seeks volunteers to assist with emergency preparedness and response efforts. Volunteers in the AVMRC program include:
- Practicing, retired, or otherwise employed medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, pharmacists, nurses' assistants, and others.
- Licensed Social Workers.
- Parish professionals and leaders.
- Public health professionals.
- Community members without medical training can assist with administrative and other essential support functions.
United States citizenship is not required to be part of the AVMRC. Non-citizen, legal U.S. residents also are welcome to volunteer and contribute their time, knowledge, and skills to protecting and improving their communities.
Do AVMRC volunteers only help in disaster time (during emergency situations)?
Although the AVMRC volunteers are ready to respond to disasters or emergencies, part of the AVMRC program's mission is to foster disaster preparedness and general public health awareness. AVMRC volunteers also are called to help during non-emergency times.
How do AVMRC volunteers help in non-emergency times (situations)?
During non-emergent times, AVMRC volunteers strengthen the overall health of Americans by participating in general public health initiatives such as flu vaccination clinics and diabetes detection programs. The U.S. Surgeon General has outlined his priorities for the health of individuals and the nation as a whole. The overarching goal is to improve health literacy, and in support of this, he encourages AVMRC volunteers to increase disease prevention, eliminating health disparities, in addition to public health preparedness.
Is the AVMRC volunteer program only for medical, social work, parish or healthcare professionals?
No. The AVMRC program seeks medical, social work, parish and public health professionals to assist with emergency preparedness and response efforts. However, other volunteers who have no medical or healthcare backgrounds also are needed to conduct emergency preparedness and response efforts. Community members without medical training can assist with administrative and other essential support functions. These volunteers give their time on an ongoing basis in coordination with other experts willing to donate their time and knowledge for special aspects of the effort.
What do individuals with a medical, social work, parish or healthcare background do as an AVMRC volunteer?
Major emergencies can overwhelm the capabilities of first responders, particularly during the first 12 to 72 hours. AVMRC team members can provide relief to emergency room "surge" capacity during this critical period. They can also augment medical staff shortages at local medical and emergency facilities. In short, communities often need medically trained individuals to fill in the gaps in their emergency response plans and to improve their response capabilities overall.
Possible types of "front-line" volunteers include:
- Physicians (including surgeons, medical specialists, osteopaths)
- Physician Assistants
- Nurses (nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants)
- Social Workers
- Parish Professionals and Leaders
- Mental health practitioners (psychologists, substance abuse counselors)
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Dental Assistants
- Optometrists
- Veterinarians
- Emergency medical technicians
- Public health workers
- Epidemiologists
- Infectious disease specialists
- Toxicologists
- Health educators/communicators
- Other medical and public health professionals
What do individuals with a non-medical or healthcare background do as an AVMRC volunteer?
Individuals with a non-medical or healthcare background typically serve their community by assisting with administrative and other essential support functions. Possible types of administrative and other support volunteers include:
- Administrators and business managers
- Administrative assistants and office support staff
- Drivers
- Chaplains
- Training directors
- Trainers
- Volunteer coordinators
- Fundraising professionals
- Supply and logistics managers
- Interpreters/translators
- Amateur radio operators
- Other support personnel
Once I become an AVMRC volunteer, what happens if I am not available all the time?
AVMRC volunteers do not have to be available all the time. Some volunteers may only be interested in making a minimal commitment during times of crisis or for other specific community needs. These preferences are respected, given that they can be accommodated by the AVMRC unit's mission and work plan.
AVMRC Unit Coordinators match community needs for emergency medical response and public health initiatives with volunteer capabilities. They also determine prospective volunteers' availability and whether they have other obligations, such as regular work responsibilities, that might conflict with serving the AVMRC in times of limited advanced notice. Different people will have different amounts of time to give. Some may not be available year-round, and others may need to be utilized throughout the year to remain engaged with the AVMRC.
Contact Us
Ara Barlieb, Project Coordinator
Allentown Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps
245 North Sixth Street
Allentown, PA 18102
phone 610-390-0255
medreserve@allentowncity.org
©
Allentown Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps 245 North Sixth Street Allentown, PA 18102
Ara Barlieb, Project Coordinator
phone 610-390-0255 medreserve@allentowncity.org
updated 17 December 2009