Join the Allentown Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (AVMRC)
Many people want to help when an emergency occurs. The best time to get involved is before an emergency occurs. Join today! Together We Can Make a Difference!
Who we are:
Allentown Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (AVMRC) is a team of medical and non-medical volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to help prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.
Formed in 2003, the purpose of AVMRC is to pre-identify, train and credential volunteers to strengthen local public health, emergency response, and community resiliency. The Allentown Health Bureau trains the AVMRC and coordinates its response in times of need. AVMRC (Unit 143) is part of the national network of community-based Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units throughout the United States and its territories. The mission of the MRC is to engage volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resiliency.
What we do:
Throughout the year, AVMRC volunteers participate in trainings, exercises, drills ,and community events to make our community healthier, better prepared, and more resilient. During major emergencies, such as natural disasters, and public health emergencies, the Allentown Health Bureau may deploy AVMRC volunteers to help. All volunteers are encouraged to participate in at least one training, exercise, or deployment per year.
AVMRC volunteers:
Support local public health initiatives to:
- Promote disease prevention
- Strengthen public health
- Improve emergency preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities
Assist the Allentown Health Bureau with surge personnel needs during emergencies and support everyday public health initiatives.
Participate in community outreach and education events and emergency preparedness activities, such as exercises for shelters, mass prophylaxis and vaccination clinics, and other emergency scenarios.
Train with local emergency response partners. This builds operational readiness, improves coordination, and builds familiarity and trust.
Who can volunteer?
Individuals 18 years of age or older may register to become an AVMRC volunteer. AVMRC includes both medical and non-medical volunteers, so you don’t have to have a medical background or active medical license to join AVMRC. Whether you're a doctor, nurse, paramedic, mental or behavioral health provider, translator, public health, or a caring community member, we want you to be part of our team! Being a City of Allentown resident is not required.
How to join AVMRC
**You must complete the following steps to become an AVMRC volunteer:
- Register on SERVPA. SERVPA, the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Pennsylvania, is a secure, confidential registration site for medical and non-medical volunteers. The Allentown Health Bureau utilizes the SERVPA system during an emergency to contact AVMRC members to provide communications and request assistance. SERVPA is also used to share information about training opportunities for AVMRC volunteers, and request assistance at community outreach events to educate the public about the importance of emergency preparedness.
- Click on the following SERVPA link: https://serv.pa.gov
- Select “Register” and answer all the requested information. You will be asked to enter information regarding the best way to contact you, any active licenses or certifications, and other relevant background data.
- For Organizations, select: Allentown Volunteer MRC
- Review your profile to make sure it is 100% complete.
- IMPORTANT: You will receive a text message to opt in to receive SERVPA text messages. Please accept it to receive AVMRC messages sent via text.
- Attend an AVMRC orientation. Information and invitations to upcoming AVMRC orientations are sent out to those who are registered in SERVPA. When you complete the SERVPA registration, the Allentown Health Bureau will contact you to attend a 1-hour virtual AVMRC orientation. Orientation sessions are held throughout the year.
Upon completion of the orientation, you will complete a background check. Once they’ve been cleared, you will begin to receive information about upcoming training opportunities, community outreach events, and deployment opportunities.
Questions or need assistance? Email AVMRC.PHEP@allentownpa.gov or call (610)-437-7760 x3510.