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State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon (SERV-OR)

SERV-OR is a statewide registry system to help pre-credentialed health care professionals volunteer their services during emergencies with significant health impacts.

The registry is sponsored by the Oregon Public Health Division in partnership with the Medical Reserve Corps. It utilizes a secure database to register, credential, and alert volunteer health providers.

  Register now to be a SERV-OR volunteer

  E-mail SERV-OR staff

  Directory for Health Security


HSPR/SERV-OR Rulemaking Activates for Senate Bill 837:

333-003 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 12.09.2025.pdf

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division is proposing to permanently amend Oregon Administrative Rules relating to the registration and activation of emergency health care services volunteers in response to the passage of Senate Bill 837 (Oregon Laws 2025, chapter 622) during the 2025 Legislative Session.

Senate Bill 837 updated ORS 401.651, 401.654, 401.657, 401.658, 401.661, 401.664, 401.667, 656.047, and 431A, which authorize and support the Oregon Health Authority emergency health care volunteer program, known as the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon (SERV-OR). The passage of the bill updated the statutes to:

  • Allow OHA to register administrative and support personnel, in addition to the licensed health care providers already authorized;
  • Allow OHA to deploy volunteers year-round for local outbreaks and other needs, rather than only larger state-declared events after specific declarations or determinations;
  • Clarify that OHA can provide workers' compensation, as required by existing statutes but which needed supportive language in some areas; and
  • Align with current practice and clarify that OHA can conduct health screenings so as not to deploy volunteers in unsafe conditions and create risk to the state and volunteers.

OHA is proposing to permanently update the appropriate administrative rules to help implement the changes in program operations.

For more details, including a description of each rule's proposed changes, please see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal and Racial Equity Impacts, and the full text of the proposed rules at:  https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Preparedness/SERV-OR/Pages/index.aspx.

You are invited to review and comment on the proposed rules. There are two (2) options to provide comment:

1) You may provide oral (spoken) testimony during a public hearing scheduled on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. Pacific          Time via video/phone conference using Microsoft Teams.

    • To provide oral testimony during this hearing:
    • Join using the Meeting URL. You can also find the join link for the meeting in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under “Remote Meeting Details" using the “Meeting URL."
    • You may also contact the Public Health Division Rules Coordinator at publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov to sign-up to give oral testimony and receive the link for the Microsoft Teams video conference via calendar appointment.
    • To join the hearing via phone (audio/listen only), you may dial 971-277-2343, phone conference ID 953 869 438#

2)  Written comments may be submitted before 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time on January 21, 2026:

  • Email comments to: publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov
  • Mail comments* to:    OHA - Public Health Division
    Brittany Hall, Administrative Rules Coordinator
    800 NE Oregon St. Suite 930
    Portland, OR 97232

*Comments sent by regular mail must be postmarked by 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time on January 21, 2026.
Send comments by fax to 971-673-1299

Final rules will be filed after consideration of all comments. 





Summary of changes made to rules:

Expanded service

  • Expands SERV-OR membership eligibility to non-licensed support and administrative health care volunteers
  • Enables volunteer service year-round
    • Removes requirement for emergency declaration

Housekeeping

  • Clarify existing authority to deploy to other states
  • Clarify that OHA can conduct health screenings of volunteers, to support safe deployments



Rule Advisory Committees (RACs):

RACs are an important process that allow members of the public and communities to provide input and suggestions during the development of new rules or amendment of current rules. A RAC was convened to provide input on proposed rules changes in response to Senate Bill 837. Click the link to listen to the the RAC Meeting Audio 10.31.25.m4a.
The RAC provided input and made suggestions on amending administrative rules, prior to giving notice of intent to amend administrative rules with the Secretary of State. The RAC will also provide input on potential fiscal and economic impact of the proposed rulemaking on affected persons, including potential adverse impact on small business. Additionally, the RAC will consider how the adoption of these rules will affect racial equity in Oregon. The RAC's role is advisory only and consensus is not necessary. In accordance with OHA policy, the HSPR program will consider the RAC's input for possible integration into the final rules. Here is a link to the rules being amended.


Requesting SERV-OR Volunteers During an Emergency

BEFORE completing the volunteer request form, please read the guide for utilizing and requesting SERV-OR Volunteers. 

  1. SERV-OR: Guide to utilizing and requesting volunteers
  2. Complete State Managed Volunteer Request Form

Oregon Disability Emergency Management Advisory Council (DEMAC) 

Learn more online now on the DEMAC's website

Wildfires, floods, and other emergencies impact our disability communities every year. People with disabilities have their own strengths. They have built community networks and resources they rely on. These communities also have specific needs during emergencies. Governments and communities must prepare for crisis together. Collaboration builds a mutual understanding of community resources, networks and needs. Working together allows government and communities to build a shared response.  It ensures people with disabilities can contribute their strengths, while receiving support as they leverage and restore critical resources, and in meeting specific needs.

What is DEMAC?

DEMAC advises State of Oregon government agencies. They focus on the needs of people with disabilities before, during, and after emergencies and disasters. Three State agencies support DEMAC:

  • Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS)
  • Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division (OHA-PHD)
  • Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM)

Who can join?

DEMAC is not currently recruiting. However, as current members' terms expire we will work with our DEMAC and agency partners to recruit members with all types of abilities, including:

  1. People with disabilities
  2. Family members of people with disabilities
  3. Disability services professionals
  4. State and local public health and emergency management professionals
  5. Native American/Tribal government representatives
  6. Volunteers who work on short-term projects

The goal is to maintain 25 members who represent communities across Oregon. Two-thirds should be people with disabilities or their family members. People from diverse communities across Oregon are encouraged to apply when there is an open application period.

How can I monitor for opportunities to join DEMAC?

Check regularly for information online at www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/pages/demac.aspx .  

More info:

Send questions, comments, and accommodation requests to DEMAC@odhsoha.oregon.gov.