Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess
County Tops 1,000 Members
Surge during pandemic brings record number of members, volunteer hours
Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County has registered its 1,000th member, thanks in great part to more than 500 volunteers who joined during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve the community in many vital roles and who will continue to provide the County a great resource, moving forward, assisting several departments in their critical mission of protecting local residents.
During a period in which Dutchess County has seen possibly its greatest need for volunteers ever, the MRC of Dutchess County – which supports the County’s departments of Emergency Response and Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) when responding to incidents of all kinds – has surged in membership, topping 1,000 volunteers after finishing 2019 with 488 members.
County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “While our community has faced these unprecedented times, we’ve also seen an unparalleled spirit of service, exemplified by the deluge of residents looking to assist their County as Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. These MRC members have played a critical part in our ‘Dutchess Responds’ effort to keep County residents safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The selflessness of Dutchess County residents has always inspired me, and I thank the 1,000+ men and women whose volunteer service through the MRC protects many in our community.”
The MRC of Dutchess County is part of a national network of volunteers, both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals, dedicated to supporting public health infrastructure and disaster preparedness and response in their local communities.
Illustrating the importance of Dutchess County’s MRC members, they recorded 4,200 volunteers hours in 2019, a record at the time; as of earlier this week, MRC volunteers this year had logged nearly 5,000 hours, already surpassing the 2019 total in less than six months. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculations, MRC of Dutchess County volunteers’ service equals $138,000 in economic value to the County so far this year.
MRC of Dutchess County volunteers have been active in the County’s response to COVID-19, including:
- Staffing more than 250 shifts at Dutchess County’s Coronavirus Call Center totaling more than 1,000 hours;
- Delivering groceries and/or medication orders to those in isolation as part of the Dutchess Responds relief effort;
- Assisting in monitoring and testing hundreds of individuals exposed to COVID-19;
- Volunteering to train and staff Dutchess County’s Recovery Center at Dutchess Community College;
- Volunteering and training to become contact tracers, helping Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley region reach Phase 1 of the re-opening process as quickly as possible;
- Training to assist in the Medical Examiner’s Office;
- Making medical rounds at the County’s homeless shelter to homeless in isolation;
- Assembling more than 10,000 pairs of goggles, face shields and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits; and
- Assisting with a number of other logistical operations and in the Emergency Operation Center.
MRC volunteers are active and vital throughout the year, not just during the current pandemic, assisting the County at Office for the Aging senior picnics, citizen preparedness trainings and healthcare drills, among other activities. Members also take part in engaging trainings and seminars throughout the year.
More information about the MRC of Dutchess County is available on its webpage and Facebook page, and residents can register online to become an MRC member.
The MRC of Dutchess County will hold New Member Orientation sessions on Tuesday, June 30th at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and residents can register for those sessions by emailing mrc@dutchessny.gov.
