Welcome to the Washington County Medical Reserve Corps

Find information on orientations and trainings, public health updates and the latest information on Medical Reserve Corps activities. You will also find a link to Minnesota Responds the state Volunteer Health Professional Registry, and the national site for the MRC.

Catch up on MRC news - the latest MRC newsletter is available here

                          
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How do I become a MRC volunteer for Washington County?

Complete an on-line application and register your intention to join the MRC with the Minnesota Responds registry. 

Complete the on-line orientation  entitled 'Minnesota Responds Medical Reserve Corps an Online Orientation for Volunteers'.

Then email or call (651-439-7434) katie dahill to arrange a time for further paperwork and photos.

Training for current MRC Volunteers  

The purpose of continuing MRC training is to equip MRC volunteers with knowledge and skills to respond in a public health emergency, and to retain MRC volunteers by providing engaging opportunities related to preparedness, response and recovery.  Towards these ends, six specific training classes have been developed that address a standard set of core competencies.  

Core Training Courses
1. Personal and Family Preparedness:
2. Nation Incident Management System (NIMS 700)
3. Incident Command System (ICS 100)
4. Mass Dispensing Sites sph.umn.edu/ce/trainings/coursepage.asp?activityId=6811&stype=2
5. Public Health Emergencies and Response
6. Psychological First Aid

What is the Medical Reserve Corps?

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is part of the Citizen Corps, a nationwide initiative to mobilize and coordinate trained volunteers to help their communities respond to all types of disasters.

MRC provides the framework for teams of local volunteers who have medical, public health and other essential emergency response skills and can contribute their time and expertise when they are needed.

Why do we need it?

Following the events of 9/11, professionals with healthcare-related skills were among those who wanted to volunteer their services. Without prior training and credentialing, they were unable to do so. katie

The anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 reinforced the need to pre-screen and train volunteers to assist with emergency operations.

The MRC helps communities meet unexpected medical and public health needs, using qualified local volunteers.

Who should join?

• Healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, psychiatrists, veterinarians, etc
• Public health professionals, such as epidemiologists, health educators, biostatisticians, etc.
• Others with essential emergency reponse skills, such as social workers, counselors, interpreters, and chaplains.
• Support staff such as clerical workers, data entry, greeters, traffic control, canteen workers, etc.

Volunteers may be practicing, retired, or otherwise employed.
U.S. citizenship is not required to volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps.
All legal U.S. residents are encouraged to volunteer and serve their communities.

Why should I join?

As a healthcare-related professional, you demonstrate your concern for others daily. Your professional knowledge and skills will be vital to your community - family, friends, neighbors - in a time of need.

When a public health emergency happens, your skills and concern for others will be crucial.

How does it work?

The structure of each MRC unit varies, depending on its own unique requirements and on the needs of the people and community that it serves. Volunteers donate their time and expertise in the area where they live, making it easier for them to help their own familiy, neighborhood and community.

Some MRC units may also prepare volunteers in advance for their roles, helping to ensure a prompt and effective emergency response.

When might my MRC call me to help?

As an MRC volunteer, your community might need your skills when:

• Local public health resources are over-extended by an epidemic or infectious disease outbreak that requires mass immunization or dispensing.
• Other public health emergencies occur.
• In support of education and prevention services offered by the Washington County Public Health and Environment dept to improve the pubic health infrastructure of your community.

 
Please click on the following link for more information about the Medical Reserve Corps.   

If you have any questions or problems with this page, please contact katie dahill.