Medical Reserve Corps
Volunteers Help Keep Panhandle Residents Healthy--Click!
 |
 |
MRC volunteers at a free community health screening |
What is the MRC?
The MRC is part of the USA Freedom Corps, a family of volunteer support groups that serves throughout the nation. Communties organize MRC units with local volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.
Who are MRC volunteers?
MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as nurses, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians and epidemiologists.. They also include volunteers without medical backgrounds, for example interpreters, legal workers, librarians and anyone with an interest in volunteering.
MRC of North Idaho has nearly 800 volunteers. It is one of the largest MRCs per capita in the nation.
 |
Recruit
Train
Respond |
MRC Volunteer orientation |
What we do
- Recruit healthcare professionals and other citizens into member service.
- Train healthcare professionals and the necessary support staff in order to respond more efficiently and to be prepared to function in a public health emergency.
- Respond as needed in a public health emergency.
- Sustain the interest and commitment of its members.
- Click for a Schedule of Activities/Trainings.
- MRC Volunteer Opportunities with PHD- click!
- Click here for a look at the MRC in action.
Training
Attending an orientation meeting is the first step in learning more about how the MRC works and what volunteer roles would be in a disaster. North Idaho MRC holds its orientations at PHD offices in the five northern counties on a quarterly or as-needed basis.
Additional training for all MRC volunteers has been requested by the Office of Civilian Volunteers Medical Reserve Corps (OCVMRC), the parent organization in Washington, DC. All disasters are managed using the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System. These are structural components that allow first responders from different agencies to work together using the same language and incident management procedures.
Since the MRC works with first responders during an incident, it is important that volunteers have an understanding and basic knowledge of these systems. Therefore, the OCVMRC has requested that all MRC volunteers take the introductory courses, IS-700: National Incident Management System, an Introduction, and IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System. These courses are offered online or in the classroom. For schedules and how to take the courses, call 415-5185.
If your schedule prevents you from attending these classes before an activation, don't let that discourage you from volunteering. "Just in Time" training is provided at all MRC events. The training includes a basic introduction to the Incident Command System that will give you all you need to know for that event. You can then plan on taking the training at your convenience.
Other training opportunities are available throughout the year and are noted in the bimonthly newsletter.
Member Guide
- 2010 Member Guide (click!) - to answer all your questions
- MRC Core Competencies
Join
Click here for an MRC Application to join a group in your own community. Print it, sign it and mail it to MRC, 8500 N. Atlas Rd., Hayden, ID 83814. After your questions are answered and you're ready to start volunteering, you'll enter your information into the Volunteer Idaho (click) database . Volunteers in the Volunteer Idaho system have the option of being available for local, state and/or nationwide disasters.
Contact
E-mail questions to mrc@phd1.idaho.gov or call 415-5185.