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Volunteers needed in Clark County for Medical Reserve Corps

February 25, 2008

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was established after President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. The MRC program is sponsored by the Office of the Surgeon General, and units are community-based and function as a way to organize and utilize volunteers - medical professionals and non-medical - who want to donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year and to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

In the event of a large-scale public health emergency, health and medical systems would be overwhelmed with individuals seeking treatment. The need to meet this demand would be critical. MRC volunteers supplement existing local emergency and public health resources.

The Clark County Health Department established the Clark County Medical Reserve Corps unit in October 2007.

Clark County's MRC unit will be operated through the Health Department. Anyone can volunteer.

The mission of the Clark County Medical Reserve Corps is to provide support medically and non-medically during emergencies, disasters, and public health practice initiatives. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Other community members, such as interpreters, chaplains, office workers and legal advisers can fill other vital support positions.

Volunteers must complete a minimal amount of training that includes an orientation and a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) course. Clark County's MRC unit is registered on the National MRC Web site at www.medicalreservecorps.gov.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health has created K HELPS, the Kentucky Health Emergency Listing of Professionals for Surge program.

K HELPS is a state-based system to register individuals interested in volunteering to offer assistance during public health emergencies or disasters. Volunteers will register with K HELPS online and will automatically be assigned to the MRC unit associated with the volunteer's geographical area.

Volunteers can register with K HELPS online at https://khelps.chfs.ky.gov.

You may also visit the health department to fill out a hard copy application.

For more information, please contact Cara Palmer, MRC coordinator at (859)744-4482 or visit the Web site at www.clarkhealthdept.org.

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