The Henry County Medical Reserve Corps (MCMRC), in collaboration with the Henry County Health Department, is designed to help Henry County strengthen public health, reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and improve preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
MRC units organize and utilize local volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and to support ongoing preparedness initiatives. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds who want to improve the health and safety of their communities.
The need for the MRC became apparent after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 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 provide a way to recruit, train, and activate medical and public health professionals and other volunteers to respond to community health needs during disasters and other public health emergencies.
MRC Activities
Examples of activities that MRC volunteers participate in and support include the following:
- Emergency preparedness and response trainings and exercises
- Emergency shelter operations and medical care
- Disaster medical and behavioral health support
- Medical facility surge support
- Mass dispensing efforts (e.g., medication, water, other supplies)
- Disease testing and surveillance
- Community vaccination clinics
- Veterinary care
- Support services to disaster call centers, family assistance centers, and reception/evacuation centers
- Emergency operations center and communications support
- Patient movement support
- Search and rescue operations
- Disaster clean-up and recovery support
- First aid and medical support during large public gatherings
- Community education and outreach
- Emergency preparedness and response planning, logistical, and administrative support
- And more..