Who can volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps?
Practicing, retired, or otherwise employed medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, pharmacists, nurses' assistants, and others. Community members without medical training are also encouraged to volunteer in order to assist with administrative and other essential support functions.
United States citizenship is not required to be part of the Medical Reserve Corps. Non-citizen, legal U.S. residents are also welcome to volunteer and contribute their time, knowledge, and skills to protecting and improving their communities.
What do Medical Reserve Corps volunteers do?
It varies, depending on the nature of the emergency and our ongoing need for community health outreach and education. Volunteers can assist the Livingston County Department of Health in programs such as health clinics and screenings, distributing educational materials, and supporting other existing programs.
We know that major emergencies can overwhelm the capabilities of our first responders, especially during the first 12 to 72 hours. Medical and other health volunteers can provide an important "surge" capacity during that critical period. They can also augment medical staff shortages at local medical and emergency facilities. In short, we often need medically trained individuals to fill in the gaps in our emergency response plans and to improve our response capabilities overall.
What we do know is that major emergencies can overwhelm the capabilities of our first responders, especially during the first 12 to 72 hours. Medical and other health volunteers can provide an important "surge" capacity during that critical period. They can also augment medical staff shortages at local medical and emergency facilities. In short, we often need medically trained individuals to fill in the gaps in our emergency response plans and to improve our response capabilities overall.
What is my legal liability as a volunteer in the MRC?
All individuals operating outside their day-to-day employment are put in a different situation when they volunteer. All volunteers in the MRC are considered agents of Livingston County. County liability insurance will cover in the event of a liability issue. If you are a licensed professional, your own liability and malpractice insurance should be current.
There is always a risk of a liable situation. Volunteers must acknowledge a risk for liability upon entering the Medical Reserve Corps. Most will find the risk of legal exposure to be far outweighed by the satisfaction they receive from their community contribution. This is always a personal decision.
What training will I need?
Emergency preparedness and response is a highly coordinated effort that allows us to maximize our capabilities at a time of extreme need. Perhaps the most important part of your training will be learning to work as part of a team.
You may already know how to perform some of the medical and health functions we may need. In most cases, your training as an MRC volunteer will focus primarily on learning our local emergency systems and health procedures, disaster response, CPR, Incident Command System, first aid, and other methods to enhance your effectiveness as a volunteer.
You will be specifically trained for your role as an MRC volunteer and will not be asked to do anything you have not been trained for. The Department of Health will provide training for the community health outreach and education component of the MRC. Prior experience or training is not required for every position.
Related Documents: |