Medical Reserve Corps Frequently Asked Questions
East Metro's local Medical Reserve Corps
What is the Medical Reserve Corps?
The Medical Reserve Corps has been created to enhance your County’s emergency preparedness and is designed to supplement the County’s health care system during a public health emergency. The goal of the MRC is to allow experienced health professionals and non-medical volunteers to use their skills and expertise in the event of an emergency. The MRC would be mobilized during any event that would require the County to open Mass Dispensing Sites to accomplish mass prophylaxis of the population. Some examples of an emergency event that would require volunteer medical staff are a smallpox outbreak, pandemic flu, or a large anthrax-related terrorist event.
Who is eligible to volunteer for the MRC?
Licensed or certified health professionals, health professional students, or non-medical volunteers that live or work in the County can join the County Medical Reserve Corps. Your expertise, licensure or certification will help determine the role you may be asked to fill during an emergency.
What might I be asked to do?
You may be asked to contribute in several different ways. Volunteers who do not have health training or experience may provide basic support services such as clerical and administrative duties, traffic and crowd control, transportation, interpreting and counseling. Medical health volunteers can perform numerous tasks including providing medical treatment or evaluation; education; administering vaccine; and distributing medication when there is a shortage of regular health care providers. We will do our best to ensure that the role you are asked to fulfill is appropriate for your level and area of expertise, but volunteers must be flexible.
If I volunteer, what is the time commitment?
We ask that MRC volunteers complete the necessary training modules as well as any subsequent training offered to MRC members. In the event that the Medical Reserve Corps is activated, services during emergencies require volunteer flexibility and commitment, usually on a 24-hour/day schedule. The expected time-commitment of volunteers will depend on the scale of the public health emergency, as well as what other events are happening at the time. For some health emergencies, it may be as little as part of one day. For potentially catastrophic events like a smallpox outbreak, we might mobilize health volunteers to work several 12-hour shifts over several days. We would ask that you commit to serve throughout the event for all of the timeslots we would need you to cover, but your availability to volunteer is up to you.
What are the benefits of volunteering for the MRC?
Personal satisfaction from knowing that you are helping your County become better prepared to handle public health emergencies. MRC volunteers and their immediate family members will be among the essential personnel to first receive the necessary vaccinations or antibiotics in the event of a public health emergency. Continuing education opportunities will be offered to volunteers at no charge. CEUs are often available for many of the learning activities.
Do volunteers receive any compensation?
No. You will be volunteering to assist your County in a time of need.
How do I become a part of the team?
You can find out more about East Metro's local Medical Reserve Corps and how to join by clicking here.