Richmond City Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) 

Medical Reserve Corps - Volunteers
The support of community volunteers is needed to help the RCHD meet the challenges of a large-scale public health emergency or disaster. That’s where the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) comes in. Recruiting and training a MRC unit is an important part of our emergency preparedness plan. 

What is the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)?
The Medical Reserve Corps provides communities with medical and non-medical volunteers trained to assist in the event of a large-scale public health emergency. Volunteers will be called on to assist during emergencies that include hurricanes/severe weather or other incidents such as disease outbreaks, terrorism, or major accidents and disasters.

We are currently seeking volunteer immunizers to assist us with H1N1 vaccination clinics in October and November. If you are a licensed vaccinator, you must register as an MRC member in order to assist us with vaccination clinics. As an MRC member, you will receive the same liability protection as all Virginia Department of Health employees enjoy.

Who can volunteer?
Everyone is encouraged to join the Richmond MRC. The MRC is recruiting both medical and non-medical volunteers. We need people with a variety of skills.

• MRC volunteers include practicing and retired medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, students, mental health workers, home health care workers and others.

• MRC volunteers also include concerned local citizens with or without medical expertise who are interested in being trained to assist themselves and the community during an emergency.

What will I do during an emergency as an MRC volunteer?

• Perform duties and functions as required by the Health Department to respond to or mitigate disasters
• Dispense medications and vaccines in the community
• Staff emergency shelters or alternate-care sites
• Staff emergency center hotlines
• Assist with administrative and other essential support functions
• Conduct assignments based on your background and training

What training will I receive?
MRC volunteers are offered orientations to the MRC and can receive training in emergency management, Personal & Family Preparedness, Bioterrorism Awareness, First AID, Pandemic Influenza, Points of Dispensing, and they can participate in RCHD emergency training exercises.
Click here for a multimedia presentation on the MRC public health training portal, TRAIN. (Registration required.)

For additional information and training locations, please contact Amy Vincent at 804-205-3737, or by email at amy.vincent@vdh.virginia.gov