MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS

Up to 85 percent of the people who flock to hospitals during disasters don’t need emergency care.  The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps is to establish teams of local volunteer medical and public health professionals who can use their skills to respond during times of emergency or disaster.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) can help meet or reduce that surge on local hospitals by supplementing existing hospital staff or working in triage and treatment centers throughout our community.  In emergency situations, the MRC volunteers members could be called upon to help dispense medications from a Strategic National Stockpile or assist during a mass vaccination clinic.  MRC members might also assist people in a shelter or provide care to patients in an alternate care facility.

MRC units are community based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers – medical professionals and other – who want to donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year and to prepare for and respond to emergencies.  MRC volunteers supplement existing local emergency and public health resources.

MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians and epidemiologists.  Other community members such as interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and legal advisors can fill other vital support positions.

MRC members train all year long to help ensure our community is prepared in the event of a public health emergency. They also help with non-emergency public health education campaigns.

Please note: In Utah, liability protection is provided for member of MRC units sponsored by local health departments.  In addition, emergency medical licenses are available to retired medical professionals who meet certain conditions.