The Medical Reserve Corps is a national network of locally‐based volunteer groups that are dedicated to building strong, safe, and resilient communities. They do this by supporting local emergency response efforts, supporting local public health initiatives, and by participating in community preparedness activities.

The Medical Reserve Corps was originally created after the September 11 terrorist attacks when President Bush urged all Americans to volunteer in service of our country. It was clear during the attacks that there was a need for additional personnel to supplement emergency response efforts in a more organized fashion. The MRC provides the structure necessary to pre‐ train, credential, and identify volunteers before a disaster occurs.

What do MRC Volunteers Do?

Participate in training and exercises
Care for individuals with special needs in emergency shelters
Assist with medication dispensing activities during a disease outbreak
Respond to emergencies at the request of the health department

Public Health Initiatives:
Health fairs
Blood pressure screenings
Health education
Providing first‐aid during a large scale event

MRC volunteers receive valuable training that can be helpful in various emergencies. Volunteers participate in online and classroom trainings such as CPR/First Aid, Personal Preparedness, Family Preparedness, Psychological First Aid, and the Incident Command System. MRC volunteers also participate in exercises put on by the health department, which is valuable preparation for responding to emergencies.

Questions

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Clay County MRC Coordinator, Becky Wiley, at ClayCountyMRC@healthdept.org or at (618) 662‐4406 ext. 111 with any questions, comments, or concerns.