Emergency response volunteers

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is part of Citizens Corps and a national network of volunteers dedicated to help promote public health and improve on safety, preparedness, and emergency response capabilities. The need for the MRC became apparent after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, when medical and public health professionals, eager to volunteer in support of emergency relief activities, found that there was no organized approach to channel their efforts. As a result, the MRC was established to recruit, train, and activate medical and public health professionals and other volunteers to respond to community health needs during disasters and public health emergencies. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as non-medical community volunteers, all with a variety of essential knowledge and skills.

The Region IV MRC volunteers help support the needs in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Skamania counties and the Cowlitz Tribe. Volunteers will receive valuable training, participate in exercises, and be at the heart of the response. Volunteers’ expertise and experience may also be valuable during non-emergencies or routine responses to public health concerns.

Opportunities are available for a variety of trained volunteers with different skills and knowledge. Volunteers will be asked to fill roles based on their expertise and experience, and the needs of the emergency response. Individuals 18 years of age and older from all backgrounds are welcome including students, business professionals, retirees, and others with an assortment of skills.

Medical volunteers:

Medical providers licensed to vaccinate and/or prescribe (e.g., dentists, EMT, MA, MD, ARNP, PA, PA-C, pharmacists, RN, NP)
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Respiratory therapists
Phlebotomists
Veterinarians
Occupational health, industrial hygiene, and infection prevention, including N95 fit testers
Those with other medical, healthcare, or public health backgrounds
Retired Volunteer Medical Workers registered with the state of Washington

Non-medical licensed and credentialed volunteers:

Licensed behavioral health providers
Health educators
Sanitarians and environmental health specialists
Members of emergency response teams

Administrative and other skilled volunteers:

HAM radio operators
Computer or technical skills
Organizational skills
Marketing and communications skills
Those with proficiency in languages other than English
Others on a case-by-case basis

The Region IV MRC may be activated to respond to:

Natural disasters such as fires, floods, and earthquakes
Biological and chemical terrorism such as anthrax exposures
Disease outbreaks and investigations such as pandemic influenza

Volunteers may participate in many different activities that increase the community’s ability to recover from disasters. Some examples include:

Emergency preparedness and response trainings and exercises
Disaster medical and behavioral health support
Disaster clean-up and recovery support
Community education and outreach
Community vaccination clinics
Disease testing and surveillance
First aid and medical support during large public gatherings
Emergency shelter operations and medical care
Medical facility surge support
Mass dispensing efforts (e.g., medication, water, other supplies)
Support services to disaster call centers, family assistance centers, and reception/evacuation centers
Emergency operations center and communications support
Emergency preparedness and response planning, logistical, and administrative support