What is NM MRC Serves?
NM MRC Serves, (New Mexico’s statewide registry of volunteer healthcare professionals)
is part of the Emergency Systems for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health
Professionals (ESAR-VHP), established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services to build a workforce of pre-credentialed healthcare providers and other
key volunteer personnel for response in the event of a wide-scale emergency.
How do I register for NM MRC Serves?
Registration for NM MRC Serves is easy and quick using our on-line volunteer registry
program. Simply click on the Register Today or Register Here link which appears
on all of this site’s pages.
Do I have to complete the entire registration process at the same time?
You do not have to complete the entire process at the same time. Initially, you
begin the registration process by completing a pre-registration screen where
you will create and submit a username and password. Following that, you will
receive an email instructing you on how to log in to NM MRC Serves to complete the
registration process. If you must exit the site before completing the registration
process, the information you had already completed will be saved. You can then
log in at a later time using your username and password to complete your registration.
Can I change my information once it has been entered into the NM MRC Serves database?
When you register you will create a username and password. You can log into the
system at anytime using your username and password to make changes to your information.
This is especially important for keeping your licensure and/or certification
information current. The NM MRC Serves registry system will email you a reminder when
your license or certification is nearing expiration.
Do I have to be part of a pre-established team to register?
No. NM MRC Serves will accept volunteers as single registrants. During the registration
process you will be requested to indicate if you are a member of another volunteer
organization such as the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), Disaster Medical Assistance
Team (DMAT), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Critical Incident Stress
Management (CISM) Team, American Red Cross, etc. It is important that you provide
this information because of the importance of coordination with other voluntary
organizations that may be called upon to respond to an emergency or disaster.
NM MRC Serves will use this information to allow ample time for the other organizations
to roster their teams, if necessary, for a deployment.
Can other emergency response organizations register their
teams in NM MRC Serves?
Yes they can. Coordinators for emergency response organizations should contact a member of the NM MRC Serves program staff for more information.
What kind of information do I need to provide to register
as a volunteer for NM MRC Serves?
You will need to provide personal background information and if applicable, your
professional license and board certification(s) number (s); issue and expiration
date(s); hospital privileges and clinical activity status.
Is my personal information safe?
Your information will be contained within a central, secure database administered
by the New Mexico Department of Health Bureau of Health Emergency Management.
Your information will ONLY be used to engage you in activities related to the
NM MRC Serves program including recruitment for participation in disaster drills or
exercises; providing you with program information; or for requesting your assistance
at the time of a large-scale disaster or public health emergency. Under no circumstances
will this information be sold to or otherwise shared with any entity that is
not a direct or indirect partner of NM MRC Serves.
How will I be contacted if I am chosen to be activated for an assignment?
Your information will be contained within a central, secure database administered
by the New Mexico Department of Health Bureau of Health Emergency Management.
Your information will ONLY be used to engage you in activities related to the
NM MRC Serves program including recruitment for participation in disaster drills or
exercises; providing you with program information; or for requesting your assistance
at the time of a large-scale disaster or public health emergency. Under no circumstances
will this information be sold to or otherwise shared with any entity that is
not a direct or indirect partner of NM MRC Serves.
Is there any protection for liability or workman’s compensation provided while
I am volunteering with NM MRC Serves?
Tort Liability - All NM MRC Serves volunteers who are acting on behalf or in the service
of a New Mexico governmental entity (i.e., New Mexico Department of Health or
NMDOH, New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, etc.)
and performing duties that are requested, required or authorized, regardless
of time and place of performance, are entitled to the liability protections of
the New Mexico Tort Claims Act (TCA). healthcare professionals licensed by New
Mexico or otherwise permitted by law to provide healthcare services are covered
for liability for damages caused by negligent acts or omissions committed in
the performance of duties as a volunteer. NM MRC Serves volunteers who are non-licensed
healthcare professionals or lay volunteers are entitled to immunity from tort
liability, unless immunity is waived for the specific activities in which they
are engaged, in which case they are covered for liability for damages caused
by negligent acts or omissions committed in the performance of duties as a volunteer.
NM MRC Serves volunteers may also be entitled to the liability protections afforded
under the Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, subject to certain limitations
and exceptions.
Workers’ Compensation - Although NM MRC Serves volunteers are not employed by the
NMDOH, all unpaid licensed healthcare professionals registered with NM MRC Serves
who are deployed by the NMDOH in response to a declared public emergency or public
health emergency, or deployed by the NMDOH outside New Mexico in response to
a request for emergency assistance under the Emergency Management Assistance
Compact (EMAC), are “public employees” of the State of New Mexico and entitled
to NM workers’ compensation benefits. There is no coverage for injury or death
occurring during emergency preparedness training, drills or exercises prior to
an emergency.
NM MRC Serves volunteers who are non-licensed healthcare professionals or lay volunteers
are not covered by NM workers’ compensation benefits for injury or death occurring
during volunteer services since they are not “public employees” of New Mexico.
Is any training required? Are there ongoing training opportunities?
All NM MRC Serves volunteers must complete:
National Incident Management System courses http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp
Be sure to keep copies of the training certificates you receive upon completion of these courses. Copies of these certificates must be provided to NM MRC Serves program staff before you can be fully credentialed for deployment through NM MRC Serves.
Ongoing classroom and on-line training opportunities will be offered to NM MRC Serves volunteers. Information on upcoming classes will be posted to the Announcements page of this website.
What if I am unable or willing to respond to a request for a volunteer assignment?
You always have the right to refuse a request for your volunteer services.
Bobbie MacKenzie, NM MRC Serves State ESAR-VHP Coordinator: 505.476.8302
New Mexico Department of Health Bureau
of Health Emergency Management 
1301 Siler Road Bldg F Santa Fe, NM 87507
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NM MRC Serves
and the NMserves logo are the exclusive property of the New
Mexico Department of Health.
All Rights Reserved, New Mexico Department of Health,
Epidemiology and Response Division, Bureau of Health Emergency Management, 2008
