How MRC Works
What is Medical Reserve Corps and why was it created?
An MRC can be used to supplement existing emergency services when a disaster is of a magnitude that overwhelms those existing resources. In addition, an MRC can provide relief for overworked workers in the event of an emergency. For instance, during an infectious disease outbreak, the MRC can help administer vaccinations in a timely manner to keep panic to a minimum and maintain a quality of care. Or, a MRC member could relieve a public health nurse who has been on the scene for 24 hours.
There was an outpouring of support for the emergency relief efforts after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Many Americans asked, “What can I do to help?” Medical and public health professionals were among those who wanted to volunteer their services, but many were not able to do so. Using public health and medical volunteers in emergencies requires an organized approach and these individuals were not known to the emergency management system. While they may have had very necessary skills and knowledge, they could not be used because they were not identified, credentialed or trained in advance.
The anthrax attacks in Fall 2001 reinforced the need for pre-identified and trained supplemental medical and public health personnel to assist with emergency operations such as mass antibiotic dispensing or mass immunization campaigns. The anthrax missions provided medications to almost 40,000 individuals. If these events were much larger, the Federal responders could have been overwhelmed and extra personnel may have been required.
To help meet these needs, the Medical Reserve Corps Program was formed in 2002, in cooperation with the White House's USA Freedom Corps, as one of the charter programs of Citizen Corps. Pre-identifying, training and organizing medical and public health professionals to strengthen their communities through volunteerism is at the core of the MRC concept. MRC volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year by supporting local public health initiatives, such as immunization and prevention activities. When an emergency community need occurs, MRC volunteers can work in coordination with existing local emergency response programs.
Now, with the MRC in place, a formerly untapped community resource – medical and public health volunteers - is functioning and available for the community to access in emergencies and for ongoing efforts in public health.
Click here to find the contact information for the MRC unit closest to you!