Medical Reserve Corps
The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps is to serve citizens and communities throughout
the United States by establishing local teams of volunteers to strengthen the public health
infrastructure and improve emergency preparedness.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was founded after President Bush's 2002 State of the Union
Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. It is a
specialized component of Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring
hometown security.
The Medical Reserve Corps is a locally based volunteer organization comprised of medical
professionals and others who will support their community's first responders in the event of
a mass emergency or public health crisis.
Panhandle Health District 1 established the first Medical Reserve in North Idaho. With
over 1100 registered members, the Corps consists of licensed active medical professionals,
non-licensed retired medical professionals and non-medical support staff. These members elect
the level of participation they wish to be involved from being very active and participating
in training, drills and exercises to being very limited in their participation and only responding
to a major public health emergency. While training is not required, training classes are offered
to all members and members are also given the opportunity to participate in preparedness exercises
and drills.
The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps of North Idaho is to:
Recruit healthcare professionals and other citizens into volunteer service;
Organize and provide training for healthcare professionals and the necessary support staff
to respond more efficiently and be prepared to function in a public health emergency.
Respond as needed in a public health emergency;
Sustain the interest and commitment of the membership.
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