A Year of Readiness: Nehalem Bay MRC 2025–2026 in Review

Jun 22

From a gift of volunteer time worth more than $700,000 to statewide recognition, new surge trailers, and major regional exercises — here's a look back at a remarkable year for our Medical Reserve Corps.

Every year, a dedicated group of medical and support volunteers quietly works to make sure our communities are ready for whatever comes — from everyday emergencies to the major disasters our coast must prepare for. Led by Velda Handler, RN, our Nehalem Bay Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator, this team has had a remarkable year. As we close out 2025–2026, we want to share just how much the Nehalem Bay Medical Reserve Corps (NBMRC) accomplished, and to thank the neighbors who made it possible.

By the numbers:

43 trained volunteers

13,593 hours served since 2020

$707,065 in economic value

2 medical surge trailers and additional equipment and supplies ·

~$179,000 in grants secured

A gift measured in hours

The heart of the MRC is its people, and this year their generosity is easy to see. From 2020 through June 2026, NBMRC volunteers have contributed 13,593 hours of service — an estimated $707,065 in economic value to Tillamook County. That's not just a number; it's countless evenings of training, weekends spent at exercises, and a standing readiness to show up when our community needs medical support most.

Statewide recognition for one of our own

This year, longtime NBMRC volunteer Adele Spegman, RN (Ret.) was honored statewide for Leadership & Service — a wonderful and well-deserved recognition. Adele's commitment reflects the spirit of every MRC member, and seeing one of our own celebrated at the state level is a proud moment for the entire corps.

Two new trailers, rolling and ready

A major milestone this year was putting two medical surge trailers into service — rolling units that can deploy to shelters, clinics, or assembly areas with the supplies and equipment our volunteers need to provide care in the field. We held hands-on orientations that reached more than half of our membership, so our team is trained and confident in using these new resources the moment they're needed.

Building readiness through smart funding

Readiness takes more than willing hands — it takes equipment, supplies, and the resources to keep them ready. Through grants and partnerships, the NBMRC has now secured approximately $179,000 in total grant funding, with current medical and shelter equipment inventoried at roughly $147,600. For a community-based volunteer corps, that's a remarkable record of stewardship — and it means our neighbors are better protected because of it.

Putting it all to the test

Preparedness only matters if it works under pressure, so our volunteers spent the year practicing alongside partners across the region. The NBMRC took part in major multi-agency exercises — including the OREM Evacuation Assembly Point and ODART airlift exercises at the Tillamook Airfield, an alternate-care-setting exercise in Nehalem, and a Red Cross shelter exercise in Manzanita — and stayed visible in the community through city council presentations, the Great ShakeOut, and local events. The corps also joined the collaboration team supporting OREM's new Resilience Hubs in Wheeler and Manzanita, helping shape how our region will care for itself in a major disaster. MRC is also active in our countywide Tillamook County Citizens Corps (TC4) meetings, focusing on supporting, collaborating with, and being a resource for community emergency preparedness.

Thank you

None of this happens without the volunteers, supporters, and partners who give their time and skill so generously. Special thanks to Velda Handler, RN and Team, whose steady leadership and dedication keep this work moving forward all year long. And to everyone who served this year: thank you. Your work makes our communities safer, stronger, and more connected — and we're proud to head into the coming year more ready than ever.

Interested in joining the Nehalem Bay MRC? All active or previously licensed healthcare providers — and those of you who are non-medical but wish to work with and support the MRC — are welcome! Regular training is available, and we'd love to hear from you and have you join us! Reach out to us at mrc@evcnb.org

Preparing for the MRC Care Shelter Exercise.

Brad Hart