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Frequently Asked Questions about Medical
Reserve Corps.
What is expected of a MRC
volunteer
An MRC Volunteer is expected to attend an orientation meeting to become familiar
with protocols and chain of command, and receive an identification badge and
personal protective equipment. Over time, additional training will be offered to
further emergency preparedness knowledge and your personal development. After
the initial training, there will be “mock disaster” opportunities. In the event
of an actual emergency, MRC members would report to a staging area then
dispatched to a dispensing site.
What will I be doing as an MRC volunteer
The specific role(s) for each Medical Reserve Corps volunteer is determined by
your background and skill level. All MRC volunteers work in coordination with
existing local emergency response organizations during large-scale emergencies
such as earthquakes, floods, influenza epidemics and acts of terrorism.
MRC volunteers also provide education and prevention services to improve the
health and well-being of their communities. They provide emergency preparedness
workshops throughout the community to help residents better prepare for possible
disasters. MRC volunteers with special skills and expertise are encouraged to
share their knowledge with the community by providing public health workshops,
for example, tobacco cessation, substance abuse, domestic violence, influenza,
West Nile Virus, etc.
During a public health emergency, MRC volunteers would be needed to help staff a
vaccination clinic or pharmaceutical distribution clinic. Many functions will be
needed to handle the large number of patients. Your skill levels and interests
will be matched to the services needed.
Some functions will include vaccinating or distributing medications, medical
screening, distributing information, directing people-flow, providing mental
health consultation, registering patients and entering data.
During times of non-emergency, volunteers can assist the health department with
its special projects, which may include assisting at children’s health
screenings, helping out at health fairs, promoting immunization campaigns and
providing public health information to patients.
Do you have to have a medical license to volunteer for the
Medical Reserve Corps
Yes. We have a need for licensed volunteers to perform specific medical
functions. However, non-medical volunteers can fulfill other important needs
such as: translation assistance, clerical support, health education, data
processing, crowd control, greeters, etc. Non-medical volunteers are members of
the Macon County Citizen Corps.
Why is a Medical Reserve Corps needed here in Macon County
In a large-scale disaster we would need hundreds of qualified, volunteers to
help support the public health response.
Are there any fees or costs to volunteer
There are no fees to become a Medical Reserve Corps or Citizen Corps volunteer.
What is the Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps is part of a nationwide initiative to mobilize and
coordinate trained volunteers to help communities respond to public health
emergencies.
The USA Freedom Corps was created in the wake of the September 11, 2001
terrorist attacks and the subsequent outpouring of volunteer support. The
Freedom Corps is made up of several components, including AmeriCorps, the Peace
Corps and the Citizens Corps. Citizen Corp volunteers, in particular, work to
make sure their families and communities are prepared in the event of terrorism
and disasters of all kinds. The Medical Reserve Corps is a specialized component
of the Citizen Corps.
Why do we need our MRC
Following the events of 9/11, professionals with healthcare-related skills
wanted to volunteer their services. But without prior credentialing and
training, they were unprepared and unable to work with established emergency
response organizations. The anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 reinforced the
need to pre-screen and train volunteers in order to have a volunteer corps
ready.
The MRC helps communities meet unexpected medical and public health needs, using
qualified, pre-registered trained volunteers.
How does it work
Our MRC unit prepares volunteers in advance for their roles through training,
communication and hands-on experience, helping to ensure a prompt and effective
emergency response. Interested volunteers must complete an application and be
screened and credentialed in order to be ready to respond to an emergency.
Who should join
Healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists,
psychiatrists and veterinarians.
When might I be called to help
Your service would be needed
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When local public
health resources are stretched by an infectious disease or
biological attack that requires mass immunization or pharmaceutical
dispensing.
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If education and
prevention services are needed to improve the public health in Macon
County.
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When other public
health emergencies occur, such as tornadoes, earthquakes or other
natural disasters.
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Why should I join
As a healthcare-related professional, you demonstrate your concern for others.
In an emergency, your professional knowledge and skills will be vital to your
community, your family, friends and neighbors.
How do I join the Macon County Medical Reserve Corps
Click Here
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