History of the Medical Reserve Corps

 

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The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)- Founded by the federal government shortly after 9/11. The national system brings together people who have skills related to health care as well as citizen volunteers. They serve as a team during times of emergency or need in their own community and function as part of their local emergency preparedness teams. MRC units supplement existing emergency and public health resources and agencies such as Red Cross, local public health, fire, police, and ambulance services. The result is a collaborative effort that is prepared for large scale public health crises.
 
Medical Reserve Corps Nationally Headquartered in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, it functions as a clearinghouse for information and best practices to help communities establish, implement and maintain MRC units across the nation. The MRC Program Office sponsors  an annual leadership conference, hosts a Web site, and coordinates with local, state, regional and national organizations and agencies to help communities achieve public health and emergency preparedness.
 
Medical Reserve Corps in Oregon - A Federal Mandate in 2003 prompted a response from the State to organize the volunteer response system. The State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon was implemented for online registration (SERV-OR) and in November 2008, a full-time coordinator was brought on staff. Presently, in Oregon, there are 13 MRC units, listed by county in a directory available for download.
 
Medical Reserve Corps in Washington County - Formed in 2006, the unit presently has over 200 active members and continues to grow. In 2009, our local volunteers donated 885 volunteer hours at Point of Dispensing sites (PODs), community health clinics, and telephone triage.