Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of volunteers are you looking for?
- What kinds of tasks will I be assigned?
- Am I required to report for duty at the time of an emergency and does acceptance for membership in the MRC legally obligate me to volunteer in an emergency?
- What other types of opportunities might be available for to participate in?
- What kind of training will I get?
- How will I be contacted in an emergency?
- Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other expenses?
- Will I be asked to volunteer for an emergency event outside the local area?
- Am I required to have my own liability or malpractice insurance?
- Is there a cost associated with courses taken that might provide CME credits?
1.) What types of volunteers are you looking for?
The Medical Reserve Corps is looking for a variety of individuals. Our focus includes support for local emergency management as well as public health. People with skills in the health-care field are, of course, needed to meet clinical and other essential needs.
2.) What kinds of tasks will I be assigned?
MRC makes every effort to match volunteers' skills and interests with existing needs. After your volunteer application is accepted, you will be assigned to or trained for an appropriate role based on your qualifications and interests.
During a public health emergency, MRC volunteers may be needed to help staff emergency vaccination clinics or pharmaceutical distribution clinics also known as PODs. Many functions are needed to run a clinic, including vaccinating or distributing pharmaceuticals to the public, performing medical screenings, running patient education sessions, directing the flow of people from one area to another, providing mental health consultation, registering patients, entering data from forms, stocking supplies and providing information to the media.
To Top3.) Am I required to report for duty at the time of an emergency and does acceptance for membership in MRC legally obligate me to volunteer in an emergency?
As an MRC volunteer, you should expect to be called to help in an emergency. You should be as prepared as possible, and make plans for your family so that you are available to help. However, work and family commitments are understood and your service with MRC is voluntary. You are not legally obligated to assist in an emergency or any other situation. At the time an emergency occurs, you may be alerted or called and asked to volunteer. The decision you make at that time is up to you.
4.) What other types of opportunities might be available for me to participate in?
Volunteers are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of community events including staffing First Aid stations, vaccinations clinics, blood pressure screenings, public health education, emergency preparedness education, and obesity training.
5.) What kind of training will I get?
Volunteers are expected to complete a series of core competencies for acceptance into the unit. These classes include Orientation to the MRC, Personal and Family Preparedness, and how to identify the chain of command at an incident (e.g., Emergency Management System, ICS, and National Incident Management System (NIMS)). Volunteers may receive “just in time training” immediately prior to deployment or on arrival at their destination.
6.) How will I be contacted in an emergency?
When you register with MRC, you will provide your contact information -- e-mail, home address, phone numbers, etc. The MRC will use this information to contact you with routine information or in the event of an emergency. It is very important that you keep your contact information up to date.
7.) Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other expenses?
At this time, no provisions exist for compensating volunteers for time lost from work.For some functions the MRC will provide mileage reimbursement and meals or a meal stipend.
8.) Will I be asked to volunteer for an emergency event outside the local area?
The MRC is intended to be a local response. You may be offered opportunities to deploy to other areas based on needs and requests. Your service during such incidents is entirely voluntary.
9.) Am I required to have my own liability or malpractice insurance?
No. We are very careful to assure that each incident or exercise that the MRC participates in has a Mission or Incident number. Once the number is issued we are automatically covered by the agency sponsored event. If we are working at a local event that we have been asked to participate in such as a first aid station you would be covered under the SAEMS Council insurance.
10.) Is there a cost associated with courses taken that might provide CME credit?
Courses offered by the MRC that have CME credits for health care professionals are typically provided at no charge to MRC volunteers. We make every attempt to provide these types of programs for MRC members at minimal or no cost. You will know of any charges in advance.
