The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was created after 9/11 to recruit medical and non-medical volunteers to strengthen community emergency response. The Salt Lake County MRC is part of this nationwide network and works locally with partners like the health department, Red Cross, and hospitals. As volunteers, MRC members train in first aid, CPR, and other skills to help with events, disasters, and ongoing public health needs. Those interested can express interest, fill out forms, and attend orientations to begin volunteering and gaining experience in emergency response and healthcare careers.

1. Medical Reserve Corps and
the Salt Lake County Health
Department
Bryan Lewis, MPH, CPH, CHEC II, Specialist in Disaster Information
Emergency Planner, MRC Coordinator

2. Topics for Today
• Medical Reserve
Corps (MRC)
Overview
 Origins of the MRC
 Purpose of an MRC
 Who we are
 What we do
 How do you get
involved

3. Medical Reserve Corps
-When I say Medical Reserve Corps what comes
to mind

4. Medical Reserve Corps – An overview
• The Medical Reserve Corps is a nationwide network of
medical and non-medical volunteers who want to
improve their communities
• MRC’s are organized on local levels - usually
sponsored through local health departments or other
emergency management agencies
• There are over 195,000 volunteers and over 930 units
across all 50 states
• Is part of the Citizen Corps which includes CERT

5. The origin of the Medical
Reserve Corps

6. 9/11 2001 – Terrorist
Attacks showed the
need for robust medical
volunteer teams

7. Origin of the Medical
Reserve Corps
• Created by the President in
response to the attacks of
September 11, 2001.
• Begun with a Federal grant
program.
• Component of the Citizen Corps,
which is part of the USA Freedom
Corps. – Americorps, SeniorCorps,
Neighborhood Watch, CERT
• Guided by the Office of the U.S.
Surgeon General.

8. Purpose of the Medical
Reserve Corps
• Recruit and credential volunteers before the
time of crisis.
• Strengthen communities by providing a ready
reserve capacity to respond to emergencies.
• Provides organized volunteer opportunities for
local citizens.
• Assist with ongoing public health needs by
working to improve the overall health and well
being of communities

9. So who are the volunteers of the SLCo Medical Reserve Corps?
• Are individuals who train in multiple areas
of emergency health to protect our
communities
• Individuals who believe in serving our
communities and learning more skills
through volunteering
• Individuals skilled in multiple areas of
healthcare
• This leads to a group of medical and non-
medical volunteers with diverse
backgrounds who are active throughout
their communities!

10. Salt Lake County MRC
– What we do
• Train in psychological first aid, First Aid, CPR, radio communications,
wilderness response
• Provide First Aid/Screening at community events such as marathons
• Educate individuals on preparedness
• Respond to infectious disease outbreaks
• Assist with medical sheltering, mass vaccinations
• Work with the Red Cross, CERT, Emergency Management, Hospitals

11. Opportunities
within the
Medical
Reserve
Corps
WORK SIDE BY SIDE
WITH EXPERIENCED
CAREGIVERS
LEARN HOW TO GET A
HEAD START IN THE
CAREER YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN
LEARN HOW TO
PREPARE FOR
DISASTERS
GAIN KNOWLEDGE IN
FIRST AID, CPR, STOP
THE BLEED,
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE, PUBLIC
HEALTH, AND MORE!
GAIN VOLUNTEER
HOURS THAT CAN
COUNT TOWARDS
PATIENT CONTACT
HOURS, AND THE
PRESIDENTS
VOLUNTEER AWARD.
GIVE BACK TO YOUR
COMMUNITY!
WORK WITH THE SLCO
HEALTH DEPARTMENT!

12. Opportunities
with partners
SLCO Health Department - Learn
about public health nurses,
environmental health and more
Red Cross, Hospitals – Participate in
exercises, drills, trainings
Citizen Corps – participate in trainings,
exercises, and present at
preparedness fairs
Other Healthcare – Network with
professionals

13. Salt Lake
County
Health
Department
Sponsors the local MRC Unit
Offers a wide range of services that you can
learn about through this sponsorship! (Pro
Tip: they don’t just do food inspections!)
Learn about the varied jobs and opportunities
the HD offers
Also can give you the opportunity to speak
with public health nurses, epidemiologists,
environmental health professionals and more

14. How do you
get involved?
It’s easy!
1. Express your interest!
2. Talk to your HOSA President/Advisor!
3. Fill out the necessary volunteer forms
4. Attend an MRC Orientation/Training Session
5. Come to an MRC meeting or event, if you
can’t, no worries we will be live streaming
meetings in the coming months!

15. Questions?
• MRC Website
https://slco.org/health/emergency
-management/medical-reserve-
corps/
• Bryan Lewis, mrc@slco.org