Satilla Medical Reserve Corps

The Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program reports directly to the Surgeon General of the U.S. in the Department of Health and Human Services. MRC strives to improve the health and safety of communities across the country by organizing and utilizing public health, medical and other volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Volunteer MRC units accomplish this mission by supplementing existing emergency and public health resources during local emergencies and other times of community need.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program coordinates the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professionals as well as other citizens interested in health issues, who are eager to volunteer to address their community’s ongoing public health needs and to help their community during large-scale emergency situations.

Local community leaders will develop their own Medical Reserve Corps Units and identify the duties of the MRC volunteers according to specific community needs. For example, MRC volunteers may deliver necessary public health services during a crisis, assist emergency response teams with patients, and provide care directly to those with less serious injuries and other health-related issues.

MRC volunteers may also serve a vital role by assisting their communities with ongoing public health needs (e.g., immunizations, screenings, health, and nutrition education, and volunteering in community health centers and local hospitals). Once established, how the local MRC Unit is utilized will be decided locally. The MRC unit will make decisions, with local officials, including the local Citizen Corps Council, on when the community Medical Reserve Corps is activated during a local emergency.

MRC Units Mark National Preparedness Month

Satilla MRC (GA) and the Ware County CERT simulated a texting and driving accident scenario on Sept. 28, 2013 at a local mall. The volunteers also took the opportunity to set up a tent inside the mall with information about the emergency alert system, 72-hour preparedness kits, and weather-related information.