Questions

Answers

Why was the MRC created?

There was an outpouring of support for the emergency relief efforts after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Many Americans asked, "What can I do to help?" Medical and public health professionals were among those who wanted to volunteer their services, but many were not able to do so. Using public health and medical volunteers in emergencies requires an organized approach and these individuals were not known to the emergency management system. While they may have had very necessary skills and knowledge, they could not be used because they were not identified, credentialed or trained in advance.

The anthrax attacks in Fall 2001 reinforced the need for pre-identified and trained supplemental medical and public health personnel to assist with emergency operations such as mass antibiotic dispensing or mass immunization campaigns. The anthrax missions provided medications to almost 40,000 individuals. If these events were much larger, the Federal responders could have been overwhelmed and extra personnel may have been required.

To help meet these needs, the Medical Reserve Corps Program was formed in 2002, in cooperation with the White House's USA Freedom Corps, as one of the charter programs of Citizen Corps. Pre-identifying, training and organizing medical and public health professionals to strengthen their communities through volunteerism is at the core of the MRC concept. MRC volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year by supporting local public health initiatives, such as immunization and prevention activities. When an emergency community need occurs, MRC volunteers can work in coordination with existing local emergency response programs.

Now, with the MRC in place, a formerly untapped community resource - medical and public health volunteers - is functioning and available for the community to access in emergencies and for ongoing efforts in public health.

What is the typical MRC unit?

There is no "typical" MRC unit. Each unit organizes in response to their area's specific needs. A region's hazard threats, health concerns, and the organization in which the unit is established (health department, faith-based organization, etc.), will dictate what an MRC looks like. With community resources and partners that span a spectrum from local voluntary organizations to private corporations, the "face" of each MRC community is unique. However, the goals of the MRC are similar; units work toward bettering their local area's public health infrastructure and strengthening their response capabilities in the event of an emergency. The differences can be found in how each community reaches these goals.

How are the USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps and Medical Reserve Corps affiliated?

In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush announced the USA Freedom Corps, an initiative designed to promote and organize volunteerism and service in the United States. USA Freedom Corps is comprised of several organizations, including Citizen Corps, that work on different aspects of volunteerism. Citizen Corps is a national network of volunteers dedicated to making sure their families, homes, and communities are safe from terrorism, crime, and disasters of all kinds. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), which organizes and prepares medical professionals for emergencies and works to strengthen the public health infrastructure, is a community-based and specialized component of Citizen Corps. MRC units, when possible, collaborate with their local Citizen Corps Council to better protect, prepare, and serve their communities. Other components of Citizen Corps include the programs Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). On the national level, the MRC Program Office, headquartered in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, functions as a clearinghouse for community information and "best practices." The MRC Program Office offers technical assistance and educational resources, as well as partners with the National Program Office of Citizen Corps and the USA Freedom Corps to build relationships and gain resources for the MRC Program as a whole.

Which health care professionals are you targeting?

Health professionals from all of the health occupations, those who are licensed or trained either practicing or not practicing and those who wish to receive general, all-hazards training as well as training for specific health events. Also targeted are other people from the community who could provide support such as those with multi-language skills, administrative skills, transportation training, etc.

What other types of volunteers are you looking for?

Volunteers who do not have formal (or any medical training) are welcome and encouraged to apply with the Medical Reserve Corps. Although our focus is medical emergencies, there will be a great need for volunteers with a variety of skills and expertise. These volunteers also will receive general, all-hazards training and training for specific health events so that they can be prepared to help in some way, using their own special skills and abilities, in a health emergency. Example: Translators Sign Lang Int, Chaplains, Adm. Asst.

How many people will be needed?

This will be dependant on the emergency and the needs of the community. In Rappahannock/Rapidan Virginia, we are striving to register as many qualified volunteers as possible, so that, should an emergency of any kind occur, volunteers would already be registered and ready to be alerted and called into service, as needed.

Can I register if I'm not currently licensed or practicing in a medical field?

Yes. Many of the positions for volunteers will require licensure, to protect the volunteer as well as to ensure the best care for those in need of medical care. If you are retired or are not currently working in a health care field but could get a license reactivated quickly, it will be possible to serve in a medical position. Even if you do not wish to reactivate your license, the MRC could call you in a disaster situation. In the event of a disaster, those with prior medical expertise could serve as medical interviewers, exit coordinators, and so forth. In addition to licensed medical personnel, there will be many needs for unlicensed health professionals as well as a need for those without medical training. The Medical Reserve Corps plans to provide training in emergency response and other related training to all volunteers registered in advance.

Can I register if I am currently a hospital employee? Do I report first to the MRC  or my hospital employer?

Your first responsibility is to your employer. You report there first, as usual. If you wish to volunteer and your employer agrees to release you or agrees to allow you to volunteer, we hope you will make yourself available and report to the MRC.

Am I responsible for volunteering with the MRC if my employer needs me or I have family commitments that do not allow me to volunteer at the time of an emergency?

As an MRC volunteer, you should expect to be called to help in a health emergency. You should be as prepared as possible, and prepare your family, too so that you will be available to help. But work and family commitments are understood. We hope you will plan ahead and be prepared to assist in your community with the Medical Reserve Corps, should an emergency occur.

Does registering legally obligate me to volunteer in an emergency?

No. This is a voluntary registry and does not obligate you to assist in an emergency or any other situation. At the time there is an emergency, you may be alerted or called and asked to volunteer. The decision you make, at that time about volunteering, is up to you.

Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other    expenses?

At this point, there are no provisions for compensating volunteers for time lost from work, mileage, meal costs, etc. In the event of an emergency, there may be provisions available but these are not defined at this time.

How will I be contacted in an emergency?

When you register, you will be asked for the best ways to contact you. You will be asked to provide your email address, home address and telephone numbers. Your volunteer coordinator will use this information to contact you both before and in the event of an emergency. Therefore, it is very important that you keep your contact information current.

What if I am already working at a local hospital or am currently obligated to serve in a branch of the military?

If you have other priorities to work or volunteer in an emergency, please let us know on the registration form. If you are normally subject to recall during a disaster that fact should be noted on your application.

If I become injured or sick as a result of the volunteer work, is there any provision for my medical care and related expenses?

There is some protection for volunteers under the Volunteer Protection Act, in the event that a volunteer is injured or becomes ill, during or because of a declared emergency. Virginia's Worker's Compensation policies generally do not cover volunteers (see Worker's Compensation Act, Code of Virginia - Section 65.2-100 et seq.), though some protections may be afforded by individual localities. Protections outside of an emergency vary with the service being performed.

If I have concerns once I have volunteered, whom do I contact?

Claudia L. Vento, Rappahannock-Rapidan Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Coordinator, 640 Laurel Street, Culpeper, Virginia 22701 | PHONE: 540.829.7350, ext. 132 | FAX: 540.829.7345  |  E-MAIL: RRMRC@vdh.virginia.gov

Who will have access to this information?

Your local MRC, public health district, and the Virginia Department of Health, involved in planning, investigating, or controlling a public health emergency will have access to this information, as necessary. This information will not be available to the public for any purpose. Naturally, no distribution to groups outside of government or beyond the disaster field will occur without your express permission.

What will be the level or length of volunteer commitment in an emergency?

You will be given more information on deployment when you are contacted by your local public health agency, and will be given an opportunity to evaluate or decide upon your ability and willingness to volunteer, in each event. However, your service is entirely voluntary.