The mission of the Stark County MRC is to establish local teams of healthcare professionals and community members who can assist our community during emergencies, such as influenza epidemics, natural disasters or acts of terrorism.

The Stark County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is designed to help assist local existing emergency response teams in the event of a public health emergency or disaster. The MRC consists of volunteers who have dedicated themselves to their community. Volunteers include, but are not limited to physicians, nurses, fire fighters, paramedics, medical personnel, epidemiologists, veterinarians, dentists, office workers, and legal advisors. In Stark County, all volunteers are incorporated into the MRC through the Citizen Corps. Anyone who is interested in joining the MRC is encouraged to do so. If you would like to become a volunteer, please visit www.serveohio.org to register. This will ensure liability for volunteers.

Existing volunteers are strongly encouraged to keep their information up to date as well using www.serveohio.org . If you need your password, assistance or have questions, please contact Tim Gabrelcik at 330-493-9904, ext. 284 or at gabrelcikt@starkhealth.org.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Why volunteer?
During a disaster, many citizens want to respond and help. Registering, verifying licenses and assigning volunteers according to their skills takes time and resources, especially during a crisis. Having volunteers registered and credentialed before a disaster allows for a faster response and recovery making our community more resilient. In addition, trainings are offered to registered volunteers allowing for better preparedness when a disaster strikes.

Who can register?
Any citizen age 18 or older can apply. Volunteers may range from medical professionals such as nurses, physicians or veterinarians to non-medical professionals such as radio operators, equipment operators or clerical workers

What is required of me if I become an MRC volunteer?
1. Register online at www.serveohio.org. (You may fill out the local volunteer form and submit. Your profile will be added online by the MRC Coordinator).
2. Complete four hours of approved training every three years.
3. Your drivers and professional license must be verified at the time of training and at the time of activation. Please bring these with you to any event you respond to, including trainings.

What types of emergencies could I be called for?

• Communicable Disease Outbreak
• Disaster Preparedness Exercises or Drills
• Mass Vaccination Clinic
• Natural Disasters
• Other Disasters (Fire)
• Pandemic Flu Outbreak
• Terrorists Attacks

Who is responsible for the liability of the volunteers?
Ohio Revised Code 121.404
Liability protection is provided to registered Ohio Citizen Corps (including Ohio Medical Reserve Corps) volunteers during local or state declared emergencies, disasters, drills and trainings. The statute also exempts a registered volunteer’s personal information on the Ohio Citizen Corps (Medical Reserve Corps) Database from public disclosure.

May I still be a volunteer if I cannot respond to every event?
Yes. You are not obligated to respond to any event. If the MRC is activated, it’s important that volunteers contact their place of employment prior to responding to any event to make sure they are not needed at work. A volunteer is NOT to respond to an event if they are needed at their place of employment. Volunteers should NEVER self deploy

What are other activities of the MRC?
Volunteers may participate in non-emergencies such as drills and exercises with local responders. Other community events may include wellness fairs, health events or requests to help with day to day tasks at an agency. No volunteer is obligated to participate in these requests. These opportunities are offered as an option to work with community partners.

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