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The MRC is a specialized component of Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. Although other emergency response and preparedness groups rely on volunteerism, the MRC primarily focuses on the skills of local volunteer medical and public health professionals to be used during times of emergencies or disasters as well as to provide health care education and support to their communities throughout the year.
Can I volunteer in more than one group (i.e. Red Cross, DMAT)?
Yes. The MRC program does not discourage volunteers from supporting other groups. MRC Unit Coordinators determine prospective volunteers' availability and whether they have other obligations that are particularly related to other disasters or response situations. MRC units will not want to rely too much on volunteers who will be committed elsewhere, but units can still use volunteers who have other commitments.
What is the USA Freedom Corps?
USA Freedom Corps was created after President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. USA Freedom Corps is comprised of the Citizen Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps and promotes volunteerism and service throughout the nation. USA Freedom Corps is “charged with promoting a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America.”
The Citizen Corps is a national volunteer network dedicated to providing hometown security. The mission of Citizen Corps is “to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.” Its mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils use community strengths to incorporate the Citizen Corps programs. Citizen Corps, along with AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps are all part of the President's USA Freedom Corps.
What is the difference between MRC and DMAT units?
MRC units provide healthcare manpower only and although they may assist anywhere in the region, state, or country, they generally provide assistance to a local community. There is no reimbursement for travel or housing.
DMAT units provide healthcare manpower as well as medical supplies such as their own field hospitals. They are primarily used for national emergencies and travel and lodging is provided by the Federal government.
What is the difference between MRC and CERT teams?
The MRC units are governed out of the Surgeon General's office and there are regional, state, and local directors. The MRC requires credentialing of professional licenses, DSW status, codes of conduct, and background checks. There are regular meetings with training in CPR, psychological first aid, basic first aid, CERT, and the Incident Command System (ICS). MRC members are primarily healthcare providers and although primarily serve locally, they may be deployed to a state, regional, or national disaster. In addition to training and response to emergencies and disasters, they provide general health education and services to their communities. MRC members in California use the Disaster Healthcare Volunteers of California system for alerts and rapid mobilization.
CERT teams are composed of the general public and serve locally to assist their neighbors and other agencies in a non-medical capacity for local emergencies. They receive 20-22 hours of training, usually provided by a local fire department, in basic search and rescue, disaster preparedness, first aid, fire prevention, etc. The neighborhood teams usually have a team leader and are occasionally linked to a local fire department. There are no meetings, alert or deployment systems, on-going training programs, or associated forms, background checks, etc.
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