Our goal is to allow local volunteer medical and health professionals contribute their skills and expertise throughout the year as well as during times of community need. Our Medical Reserve Corps unit is made up of medical and support volunteers who can assist our community during an emergency, such as an earthquake, hurricane, ice storm, an influenza epidemic, a chemical spill or an act of terrorism.

Benefits to the Community

Major local emergencies can overwhelm the capability of first responders, especially during the first 12-72 hours. Having citizens who are prepared to take care of themselves, their families and others during times of crisis will allow first-responders to focus their efforts on the most critical, life threatening situations.

An organized, credentialed and trained Medical Reserve Corps means that volunteers can effectively respond to local emergencies. Members should take the responsibility to become familiar with their community’s response plan, know what materials are available for their use, know their partners in the response ,  know where their skills will be most advantageous and be able to follow through in a cohesive, coordinated manner.

An Organized Team Approach

During a disaster an emergency management plan will be activated. That plan defines how emergency personnel (fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services) will respond to and manage the emergency. Spontaneous volunteers may hinder rescue efforts because they may not be familiar with local plans or procedures.

By creating a Medical Reserve Corps that is linked to emergency plans across the county, the members of the DCMRC can truly benefit the community by knowing what their role is during an emergency. They will already have been identified, credentialed and trained. They will also know how they fit into the emergency plan and how best to respond so that they are a positive support structure for the first responders.