Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of local volunteer units that engage their local communities to strengthen public health, reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and improve preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
NACCHO works in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Medical Reserve Corps Program Office to:
- Build the capabilities of MRC units to meet needs during emergencies and disasters;
- Identify and address barriers to the use of MRC units and volunteers during emergencies and disasters;
- Support the sustainability of MRC units to maintain and develop response capabilities.
For more information, visit the ASPR MRC Program Office Webpage.
NACCHO's MRC Team has developed the following to support MRC units across the country including deployment readiness resources, funding opportunities, and information on the most recent Network Profile study.
E-Learning Opportunities
MRC-TRAIN is a free, online e-learning platform with training modules for MRC unit leaders and volunteers. MRC units can also upload their own individualized training content to the TRAIN platform. For more information on MRC-TRAIN, check out "A Tour of MRC-TRAIN as a Unit Leader" or click here. Additionally, NACCHO recently published a series of six courses on MRC-TRAIN that were designed to provide resources and recommendations to MRC unit leaders on various foundational topics. To learn more, click here.
NACCHO University is another e-learning platform with self-paced learning modules created for MRC units including Deployment Readiness, MRC Unit Factors for Success, and MRC Core Competencies.
Fact Sheets
NACCHO has developed the following Fact Sheets to highlight MRC units across the national network and encourage peer sharing:
- Medical Reserve Corps: Community Resilience
- Medical Reserve Corps: Response to the Opioid Epidemic
- Medical Reserve Corps: Shelter Operations Support
Communications
NACCHO has developed resources to assist MRC Unit Leaders and Stakeholders with their communication and messaging strategies. The NACCHO MRC Strategic Messaging Guide provides a roadmap for MRC units as they conduct community outreach and media interviews. It touches on the history of the MRC and shares some of the facts and figures behind this extraordinary organization.
NEW: NACCHO has recently updated the Social Media Toolkit: A Primer for Local Health Department PIOs and Communications Professionals. The toolkit helps local health departments get started and grow their social media programs, one tweet at a time. For beginners as well as experienced practitioners, this toolkit features a description of platforms; how to develop a social media policy; how to integrate social media with your emergency communications plans; social media strategy; and emerging trends.
Advocacy
Advocacy can build relationships with and educate policymakers; influence new and existing policies, laws, and budgets; and, encourage the creation of new programs. Learn how you can better collaborate and communicate with your local elected officials using NACCHO's Advocacy Toolkit.
Psychological First Aid Resources
PFA is an evidence-informed approach to respond to emotional and psychological needs after after a natural disaster or act of terrorism. Find Train the Trainer PFA Facilitators Guide and Field Guide below:
MRC units work on a broad range of emergency preparedness and public health projects. We have highlighted select projects to celebrate the variety and creativity of our MRC units across the country.
- South Hadley/Granby/Northampton MRC, Sheltering Residents with Substance Dependency
- Richmond City MRC, Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease
- Bureau Putnam MRC, Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
- Siouxland District Health Department, Iowa MRC, Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program
- Greater Monadnock, New Hampshire MRC, Prescribe for Health
- LeFlore County, Oklahoma MRC, Mass Fatality Training
- King County MRC, Enhancing Community Collaboration & Coalition
NACCHO also features a number of emergency preparedness blog articles through the Preparedness Brief. Some posts including MRC unit highlights, press releases, and general topics include:
- Combating COVID-19 on Election Day
- NACCHO Awards Over $1M in MRC Operational Readiness Awards
- MRC Units Promote and Train Community Active Bystanders
NACCHO loves hearing from MRC units about their successes and the resources they have developed. Please reach out to [email protected] to share yours!
MRC Photo Gallery
Marin County MRC (CA)
MRC volunteers in California participate in an emergency preparedness exercise.
Manasota MRC (FL)
Manasota MRC volunteers support response to a fire at Port of Manatee in Palmetto, Florida by setting up a firefighter rehabilitation station in their Medical Aid Station Trailer (MAST).
South Carolina Veterinary Reserve Corps (SC)
Volunteers participate in a slack water training.
Bainbridge Island MRC (WA)
MRC volunteers working at an outdoor COVID-19 testing site in Washington.
Capitol Region MRC (CT)
Capitol Region MRC volunteers staff a vaccination site at a gymnasium in Connecticut.
Dutchess County MRC (NY)
Dutchess County MRC volunteers prepare PPE and testing supplies in New York.
Hudson Regional Health Commission MRC (NJ)
MRC volunteers collect specimens at a COVID-19 testing site in New Jersey.
Ledge Light Health District MRC (CT)
MRC volunteers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut.
Martin County MRC (FL)
A Martin County MRC volunteer directs traffic at a COVID-19 testing site in Florida.