What is the Medical Reserve Corps?
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was founded in 2002 in the aftermath of 9/11. President Bush asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. The MRC is a specialized component of Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. The MRC units are community based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers-medical professionals and others- who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing local emergency and public health resources. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, dentist, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Other community members, such as interpreters, chaplains, and clerical support personnel, can fill other vital roles.
What can MRC volunteers do?
- Assist local hospitals and health departments with surge personnel needs.
- Participate in mass prophylaxis and vaccination exercises and community disaster drills.
- Train with local emergency Response Partners
- Active NJ license or certification
- Completion of MRC 10 hour core curriculum
Training
Training Dates: In-person training will begin Spring/Summer 2009. Online training can be found at https://njlmn.rutgers.edu/. Course suggestions are Bioterrorism, ICS/NIMS, Points of Distribution and anything else in syllabus related to emergency preparedness.
Location: County Administration Building
Intermediate Meeting Room
4 Moore Rd.
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Directions:
North Bound- GSP north to Exit 11 ( Crest Haven Complex), Turn right to Moore Road. Turn Left tothe County Administration Building.
South Bound- GSP south to Exit 11 ( Crest Haven Complex), Turn left to Moore Road. Turn left tothe County Administration Building.
Core Curriculum
- Incident Command Structure
- Bioterrorism Biological Agents
- Epidemiology Investigation
- Personnel Protective Equipment & Infection Control
- Points of Dispensing Operations (POD)
- Smallpox Vaccination Training
How do I join?
You may apply online by going to www.njmrc.nj.gov or please print and complete MRC Application form and return to:
Cape May County Department of Health
c/o Community Health Planning Department
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
E-mail: Medical Reserve Corps
(609) 463-6689 (Phone)
(609) 463-6580 (Fax)
Training and Continuing Education
Continued training and preparedness is necessary to assure that current skills are up-to-date with new practices and procedures. Visit the MRC Continuing Education Page for On-Line Training Options and Recommended Introduction Courses for Medical reserve Corps
Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers On Film
Several Medical Reserve Corps volunteers went to Trenton on June 16th 2007 to film a Public Service Announcement for MRC recruitment. The Commissioner of Health Dr. Fred Jacobs joined representatives from several MRC units for the filming. The PSA should air in September in time for Emergency Preparedness Month. Stay tuned.
From left to right: Carlyn Graham-Conover MSW, Pat Jablonski RN, Wendy Schmolk RN, Dr.Joseph Tordella, Carol Kapurelos RN and Mary Pat Hastings RN
