Volunteer Opportunities

Medical Reserve Corps

What is MSAR?
MSAR is a database of pre-credentialed health care professionals who have agreed to volunteer their services during a large-scale emergency. By registering with MSAR, you can be part of an alert system and respond, when activated, to a significant disaster or public health emergency.

Why do we need MSAR?
Recent experience has consistently shown that an effective response requires that volunteers be pre-credentialed and deployed through a coordinated effort. Well-meaning but unaffiliated volunteers who unexpectedly present to disaster sites are often unable to be assigned. With limited time and resources to process volunteers, often only those with known credentials are permitted access to the disaster response.

How will MSAR work?
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) will register and pre-credential interested volunteers. This information will become part of the MSAR statewide, secure database. An alert message will be sent to members depending on the needs of the incident.

How does MSAR collaborate with Medical Reserve Corps and other volunteer groups?
MSAR works to ensure that locally-based resources are available in the event of a declared public health emergency. MSAR members are also encouraged to register with local organizations to assist in smaller, community-based events that do not initiate an MSAR activation.

Where can I get more information?
Read more about Medical Reserve Corps of Massachusetts here.